Civics 101: Westminster Police Department & Mental Health Co-Responder Program
Also deep-dive of my Police Ride-Along experience
If you missed it, see my previous newsletter:
Civics 101: Westminster Police Department
The Westminster Police Department is a full-service municipal law enforcement agency and the department is divided into seven geographical patrol beats that span the city.
WPD is led by Police Chief Norm Haubert, operating with ~293 authorized employees, including 199 sworn personnel and 94 professional staff, structured into three divisions: Police Administration, Operations, and Specialized Services.
Police Chief Norm Haubert leads the Westminster Police Department by setting major policies, planning long-term programs, and making executive decisions, while Deputy Chief Dean Villano oversees Operations and Deputy Chief Dave Lester manages Specialized Services, ensuring the department aligns with City Council and City Manager directives.
Additionally, the Westminster Police Department secures grant funding to enhance community safety and support specialized services.
DUI enforcement through High Visibility Impaired Driving Enforcement
Co-responder services for behavioral health
Internet Crimes Against Children training
Mental health support for officers
Domestic Violence Prevention via the Victim of Crime Prevention Act
Narcotic analysis through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
Speed enforcement via CDOT projects
E-Ticket citation software and equipment
WPD responds to one of the highest volumes of service calls in the entire state; very rarely do those ever result in a use of force.
The Westminster Police Department’s Specialized Services Division, led by a Deputy Chief, includes the SWAT Team, which handled 12 high-risk warrants in 2023 and added a technology-focused position; the Special Enforcement Team (SET), which assists with high-profile cases; the K9 Unit, which participated in 120 incidents and public education; and the Investigations Section, which saw a 33% reduction in motor vehicle thefts due to proactive strategies and filled five new detective positions to handle over 2,300 cases.
The Victim Services Unit, with a coordinator, five advocates, and volunteers, provides 24/7 support and essential resources to crime victims, assisting 1,086 individuals in 2023.
The Technical Services Division, including the Traffic Unit, focused on enforcing speeding and traffic regulations, issuing 4,654 citations in 2023 and actively targeting street racing with multi-jurisdictional efforts.
Community Relations
The Westminster Police Department strengthens community ties through events like Santa Cops, where officers and partners provide Christmas gifts to children from families facing severe hardships. Other events include: National Night Out, Department Tours, DEA Drug Take-Back, Santa Cops, Cuisine with Cops, Westminster Police App, Citizen’s Academy, Shred-A-Thon, Neighborhood Watch, Teen Academy, Community Meetings, Security Checks.
Mental Health Co-Responder Program
In 2019, the Westminster Police Department introduced the Mental Health Co-Responder Program, an innovative initiative that pairs police officers with licensed mental health professionals to address the unique needs of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Since joining the council in 2021, I have actively advocated for growing this team to meet the increasing demands for mental health crisis services. This program has grown to include four clinicians, a case management coordinator, and a supervisor, allowing for coverage seven days a week, from 6 am to 11 pm most days. The program’s primary goals include:
Providing care in the least restrictive setting possible
Preventing unnecessary emergency room visits and incarceration
Allowing law enforcement and fire personnel to focus on high-priority demands
Implementing an internship program for social work and counseling students
Enhancing safety measures so clinicians can respond independently to low-level crisis calls
In 2023, the Co-Responder Unit (CRU) responded to 1,153 calls and received 948 referrals, demonstrating its vital role in our community.
During my ride-along (on 8/16/24) with Sergeant English (which I deep-dive into below), we rushed to a call in my own neighborhood, where I witnessed officers handle a suicidal woman with care and restraint. Our mental health co-responder arrived quickly, placing her on a "Hold" to ensure her safety. This experience reinforced my pride in supporting this program’s growth and my commitment to expanding it further.
As we look to the future, I am passionate about expanding this program more, further reinforcing our commitment to compassionate and effective crisis intervention.
Watch my interview with a co-responder below:
My Ride-Along with a Westminster Police Sergeant
Our Westminster Police Department’s Ride-Along Program aims to build community trust by providing residents a firsthand experience of police work, fostering understanding, and encouraging cooperation.
I believe that unity and trust in those who protect us are the cornerstones of a strong community, and Westminster Police Department exemplifies this through their unwavering commitment to transparency and community engagement, setting them apart from many other municipalities.
On August 16, 2024, I conducted a special ride-along with a patrol Sergeant, where I chose to ask the questions you submitted to ensure transparency and foster a better understanding between our community and the police department.
Watch my interview with a co-responder below:
How to sign-up for a police ride along: You must submit a completed application and waiver at least two weeks in advance, follow specific dress codes, and adhere to all safety protocols during the four-hour ride-along, which is limited to one per year and subject to availability and approval by the Westminster Police Department.
More police statistics; if you have any questions just send me an email!
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