The Thornton Police Department takes each incident involving loss of life very seriously. In addition to the required independent criminal investigation, the TPD will always conduct a thorough, internal administrative investigation to ensure our actions are aligned with nationally recognized best practices and department policy. This is important because policing decisions are often made in rapidly evolving dynamic circumstances. We recognize both the complexity of the work our officers are asked to do as well as the need for transparency to the community we serve.
Following the investigation conducted by the First Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team and the review by District Attorney King, the Thornton Police Department conducted our internal review to assess policy compliance and identify opportunities to improve our practices.
At the time of this incident, the IMPACT Unit was responsible for street-level crime enforcement and auto theft reduction. Its use of unmarked vehicles was intended to reduce the need for high-speed pursuits and was supported by department leadership at the time.
The investigation determined that some officers involved in this incident had violated the TPD pursuit policy. Those officers received administrative corrective actions, and were authorized to return to full duty.
The administrative review of this incident fulfilled its purpose by ensuring accountability, identifying areas for improvement, and providing guidance to better support TPD staff in the future.
Following the incident, the IMPACT Unit was dissolved due to a significant statewide decline in motor vehicle thefts. Associated resources were reallocated to support crime reduction in other ways, including traffic safety and community engagement initiatives.
The Thornton Police Department continues to evaluate its operations under the leadership of our new Police Chief, Jim Baird, and remains committed to providing the highest level of service to our community.