Crime
We moved Boulder Crime News and police blotter out of News and made it a primary category. Even though crime news is the highest in analytic s some readers complain because it ruins non violent news. Our readers and viewers prefer science, tech environmental and entertainment news. So crime news junkies now have your own bad news section here.
Boulder police ruled former officer charged with attempted murder violated departmental rules
Aug 16th
The Boulder Police Department’s review of the allegations against former police officer Christian McCracken for violating Boulder Police Department Rule #2, Conformance with Laws, has been completed. McCracken submitted a letter of resignation to the police department through his attorney on August 15, approximately one hour prior to the final review by the Internal Affairs Review Panel.
The internal affairs panel is made up of six members of the community and six members of the police department. The investigation was completed several weeks ago and was submitted for review by the supervisory chain of command and the Review Panel. The Review Panel met last night, August 15, to make a final recommendation concerning whether to sustain the allegation.
The panel made a unanimous decision to recommend sustaining the allegation that McCracken violated Boulder Police Department Rule #2, Conformance with Laws. This recommendation, as well as those of his supervisors, was forwarded to Chief Mark Beckner on August 16. Chief Beckner concurred with the recommendations and entered a sustained finding.
Because McCracken resigned before the disciplinary process was completed, no disciplinary action will be taken. Christian McCracken is no longer a member of the Boulder Police Department.
McCracken had been on medical leave since last summer, after claiming an on-the-job injury. Although he was still technically a member of the police department, he was not on paid leave. He has been receiving worker’s compensation for his injury.
McCracken was able to post bond, and has been released from jail. He has left the state of Colorado, which is one of the conditions of his bond.
Boulder’s talking trash (pickup) again
Jul 28th
Special trash service dates announced
According to Boulder Revised Code (BRC) 1981 Section 6-3-9, property owners and managers of rental properties in the University Hill and Goss/Grove neighborhoods are required to contract with trash haulers for pick-up service for the following dates in 2012:
- Fall: Saturday, July 28 through Monday, August 27
The University Hill neighborhood boundaries are from Arapahoe Avenue to Baseline Road and from Broadway Street to Ninth Street, and the Goss/Grove neighborhood boundaries are from Canyon Boulevard to Arapahoe Avenue and from Folsom Street to 15th Street.
The Special Trash Service code requires that rental properties in these neighborhoods sign up for the program through their contracted trash haulers. The Boulder Police Department’s Code Enforcement Unit will issue a summons to property owners and managers of rental properties in these two neighborhoods if they are not signed up for the program, regardless of the extent of trash violations on their property. The fine for a violation of this section of the code is $250 for a first offense.
The Special Trash Service code requirement was implemented in 2003 as a result of a community group recommendation. During tenant move-in and move-out periods, which occur at the beginning and end of the University of Colorado’s academic year, the Goss/Grove and University Hill neighborhoods experience significant trash impacts. This program was initially developed as a pilot program in 2002. Its success resulted in the development of the specific code requirement.
Sign up for the Citizen’s Police Academy at the Boulder Police Department*
Jul 28th
*No criminals allowed
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to be a police officer, or been interested in knowing more about the day-to-day operations at the Boulder Police Department, now is the time to sign up for the upcoming Citizen’s Police Academy course.
Nearly 800 citizens have participated over the years (this is the Department’s 29th Citizen’s Police Academy), and the new session starts on Sept. 5, 2012. It’s free and open to anyone over the age of 18. The course is held over a period of 12 weeks. Students and instructors meet once a week, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Here are a few of this session’s highlights:
- Detectives will discuss cases which have been solved, and talk about some of the ways investigations are handled;
- SWAT Team members will explain what the team does, when it’s called out, and show you some of their specialized equipment;
- Our Crime Analysts will talk about how they collect evidence at crime scenes, how various evidence is tested and how the information is used during investigations;
- The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office will give you a tour of the Boulder County Jail;
- You’ll have the opportunity to ride-along with an officer and gain some perspective about their work in the community;
- The Bomb Squad members will discuss their training and show you the equipment they use to protect them from harm;
- Learn how Dispatch Operators field 911 calls;
- Find out how records are kept, and what kind of law enforcement information is available to the public;
- And, officers who patrol Boulder will tell you about their districts and beats, and share their insights about officer safety issues.
The Citizen’s Police Academy is offered at no cost to allow community members to learn more about police operations and philosophy. Applicants should live or work in Boulder County, and be able to pass a criminal background check. To register, contact Karen MacPherson at 303-441-4325, or macphersonk@bouldercolorado.gov. Registration is open through August 27, 2012.
A graduation ceremony will be held on Dec. 5, 2012. Graduates will be able to join the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, which schedules monthly programs and speakers who focus on law enforcement-related topics.
