Denver police struggling to fill recruitment classes [Video]

DENVER — Recruiting efforts for Denver police are falling short of Mayor Mike Johnston’s 2024 budget goals.

Training for the first class of recruits begins on Monday, with just 36 spots filled.

Right now, the department has three recruit classes planned for the year, with a chance for a fourth, according to Doug Schepman with the Denver Police Department.

“While hiring for the first class of 2024 fell short of the goal for a full class of 55, there is a possibility of adding a fourth recruit class this year comprised of budgeted recruit officer positions not filled in the three planned classes,” Schepman said.

This is an effort to meet Mayor Johnston’s goal of adding 167 new officers to combat the city’s rise in crime rates.

He proposed the increase in September, budgeting $8.2 million for the additional police strength.

Schepman said DPD is authorized to have a maximum of 1,639 officers, and as of March 22, they had 1,515.

“We also continue …