A proposed amendment to Denver’s 2025 budget reducing the police budget by $3.2 million, eliminating one of three cadet classes for next year, failed after councilmembers said reducing the police pipeline would do little to improve public safety in the city.
The amendment was proposed by Councilmember Sarah Parady.
Reducing the academy’s cadet classes would actually worsen Denver’s public safety situation according to Kevin Flynn, one of the council’s longest-serving members. Despite budgeting for three classes in previous years, the department has still seen a shortage of about 157 officers because of retirements and other departures, he said.
This is despite budgeting for three recruit classes last year, accounting for about 527 new recruits, which the proposed 2025 budget also does. If all 527 slots are filled, roughly 60% will find their way to the active force, according to Parady.
Using these numbers, a full class of 527 would only graduate about 316 cadets. Denver would need to budget at least one more police academy class in order to fill its shortfall of sworn officers.