Officer-Involved Shootings

Investigations of officer-involved use of deadly force or potentially deadly force present a unique set of circumstances, which make them more complex than routine investigations. Law enforcement agencies in the 18th Judicial District pool resources through a Critical Incident Team to investigate the incidents, and the District Attorney’s Office determines whether the use of force was lawful or criminal. Those reports are public by law: C.R.S 20-1-114 says, “The district attorney shall, if no criminal charges are filed following the completion of an investigation pursuant to section 16-2.5-301, C.R.S., release a report and publicly disclose the report explaining the district attorney’s findings, including the basis for the decision not to charge the officer with any criminal conduct. The district attorney shall post the written report on its website or, if it does not have a website, make it publicly available upon request.” The Arapahoe County Critical Incident Response Team (Arapahoe CIRT) protocol updated January 17, 2023 can be viewed HERE IN PDF FORMAT. The Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln Counties Critical Incident Response Team (DEL CIRT) protocol updated January 3, 2023 can be viewed HERE IN PDF FORMAT.