Boulder entering next phase of 'reimagining policing' effort

Dec. 9—Boulder is entering the next phase of its ongoing effort to reimagine policing in the city, a process that began in June.

The most recent engagement phase, which the city is calling "Learning Together," will include a series of short explainers of relevant policing topics, including budget, use of force, recruitment, harm prevention and alternative response models. It's slated to go through April.

Those with comments and questions can attend a number of scheduled Boulder Police Department town halls to engage in a conversation about the various topics with city officials, law enforcement leaders and other community members.

In some of the earlier stages of the process, community members shared values that they hope will guide policing in Boulder.

Among other things, that included values about feeling safe in a community when all are free to enjoy public and private spaces without fear of harm; when laws are enforced equitably; and when police respond professionally and respectfully, but there are alternative resources for problems not suited to policing.

The work is being done in tandem with the regular update of the Police Department Master Plan and is expected to conclude next fall.

The first town hall on Boulder's budget for policing will be 4 p.m. Dec. 20. Additional monthly town halls are scheduled through April.

Those who cannot attend the town halls can provide feedback on Be Heard Boulder. To share feedback, access a report on the initial phases of the project and look through an explainer on the Boulder Police Department budget online visit bit.ly/3ED4zZp.