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History of Lakewood Police

HISTORY OF THE

LAKEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT

When the Lakewood Police Department was formed in 1970, one year after the City of Lakewood was incorporated, it was called the Department of Public Safety. In the late 1960s, a presidential commission conducted a study on how to make law enforcement more professional. Ron Lynch, the first director for the department, decided to follow these suggestions in establishing the new Police Department. Based on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) rank structure, line level officers were called agents, sergeants were Field Advisors, Lieutenants/Commanders were Senior Field Advisors and Captains were called Agents in Charge (AIC). There was a Deputy Chief called Senior Agent in Charge (SAIC).

Lakewood was one of the first cities in the nation to require its police agents to complete a four-year college degree before applying for a job. This high standard of excellence has paid off in a better and more informed police agents who have leadership and professional skills.

Picture of police badge.
The uniform was different than most municipalities. In 1970, the agents wore gray slacks, a light blue shirt and a navy blue blazer. It was soon determined that the uniform incorporating the blazer made it difficult for members of the community and other law enforcement officers to identity Lakewood personnel as law enforcement officers. The uniform was modified to include a light blue uniform shirt with shoulder patches and gray slacks. The blazer was to be worn for court appearances and more formal occasions such as funerals. The department moved to the current "traditional" dark blue police uniform in 1981.
Picture of 1970's mens' uniform Women joined the force in 1972. The uniform was modified to include a light blue shirt worn with a blue blazer and arm patches. Today, women agents also wear the traditional dark blue police uniforms.
Picture of 1970's woman's uniform.
Pierce Brooks was appointed as the Director of Public Safety in May of 1971. He initiated the title of detective for individuals assigned to the Investigation and Review Division of the department. The titles for the ranks in the department were changed in 1973 to agent, sergeant, lieutenant, captain and director. In 1976 John Vermilye became Chief of Police and remained in that position until 1981. Charles Johnston became the fourth chief for the department in 1981 and retired after 20 years in January 2001. Current Police Chief Ron Burns took over in December 2001.
The department has been housed in several different buildings over the past 30 plus years. The initial department was located at 1580 Yarrow St., which today is the Clements Senior Center. The department quickly grew as the city grew and moved into an office building at 7860 W. 16th Ave. in 1971. The dispatch center remained in its original location.
Picture of first police department office building.
Picture of patrol car.
The Investigation and Review Division was housed in the current Police Athletic League gym. The entire department was moved to 44 Union Blvd. in 1976. At the time, the department's building sat at the edge of new developing areas of Lakewood.
Picture of current police department building.
The city's offices, including the Police Department, moved to a brand new building at 445 S. Allison Parkway in 1984. In 2000, the most of the city's departments moved into a new location in the Civic Center across the street. The Police Department, along with the Municipal Court and the West Metro Fire Protection District, stayed at the 445 S. Allison address and the building was renamed the Public Safety Center.

Over the years many things have changed, uniforms, ranks, cars and buildings, but what has not changed since the early beginnings in 1970 is the Lakewood Police Department's commitment to integrity, intelligence, and initiative. Each new recruit class is taught what a privilege and honor it is to serve the citizens of Lakewood and to uphold the department's high standards. This Police Department has come to be recognized nationally and internationally. In 1996, an article in "Good Housekeeping" magazine rated the Lakewood Police Department as one of the top eight suburban police forces in the country. Lakewood has produced more than 50 chiefs of police serving other agencies throughout the United States.

In 1986, Lakewood was the second agency in Colorado to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. The commission awards accreditation to police departments that comply with more than 400 accreditation standards deemed essential to the protection of the life, health, safety and rights of citizens. By becoming accredited, the department exemplifies the very best in professionalism. Every three years the department must go through the rigorous accreditation process. Lakewood has achieved accreditation repeatedly.

Copy of newspaper front page article.
Picture of Commander Les Williams with youngster.

Today, the Lakewood Police Department enters the 21st century with the tools, people, skills and courage to meet the new challenges of an ever changing and diverse face of the city. Now the fourth largest city in the state of Colorado, Lakewood citizens can justifiably be proud of their Police Department. More than 300 dedicated and skilled sworn and civilian personnel continue to strive to maintain the high standards of professionalism and service established more than 30 years ago. Many of the programs created by this department have been used nationwide, including at the FBI National Academy in Virginia. The Lakewood Police Department continues to be one of the nation's innovative and leading departments.

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