Denver Police Department Announces Violence Suppression Action Plan

Denver Police Department Announces Violence Suppression Action Plan

Published on July 30, 2026

Denver - July 30, 2026 - As previously announced, crime is down in most categories in Denver compared to 2025 and the three-year-average. However, homicides have increased compared to 2025 and slightly down compared to the three-year-average. Therefore, the Denver Police Department announces a plan to counter the uptick in homicides with the Violence Suppression Action Plan. This plan is comprised of five components - a Violence Response Team, Place Network Investigation (PNI) expansion, enhanced licensing and regulatory action, illegal firearm enforcement, and Violence Reduction Council.

"Being innovative and collaborative are more than buzz words, they are the driving force behind this Violence Suppression Action Plan and our work toward the common goal of the safest Denver possible," said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas. "Part of this collaboration includes community awareness of each person's role in increasing safety by not allowing anger to boil over into violence and alerting us of safety concerns."

1. Violence Response Team (VRT) - Starting July 23, 2026, DPD rolled out the VRT, which is a team comprised of a sergeant and four police officers, that works overnight hours. The team does not respond to routine radio calls, but instead deploys based on calls for service trends, district commander requests, intelligence information, large park gatherings, house parties and other emerging violence risks. They conduct proactive, intelligence-led police work directly connected to recent shootings, anticipated retaliation and other immediate threats.
2. Place Network Investigation Expansion - The traditional PNI model identifies networks and relatively small areas of concern for law enforcement to focus. Building upon the success of PNI in Denver in reducing violence, each DPD district will receive 30 hours of PNI overtime per month, funded by a federal grant, for operations targeting identified violence drivers anywhere in the district. This PNI expansion will allow PNI teams to expand their scope in investigating people, groups, vehicles, firearms and circumstances associated with violence. The PNI expansion begins in August 2026 and is anticipated to continue through the end of 2027.
3. Licensing and Regulatory Action Enhancement - Work with Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection to increase assessments of licensed establishments repeatedly associated with shootings, assaults, weapons violations and chronic disorder. Using calls-for-service, crime and licensing data, the city will identify problem locations and pursue corrective action, enhanced security requirements, license conditions, suspension or revocation when warranted.
4. Illegal Firearm Public Awareness Campaign - Continue working with local, state and federal partners to prosecute individuals with illegal firearms. An awareness campaign will be launched in the coming weeks/months to educate community members about the consequences of illegal firearm use and possession.
5. Support from City Agencies and Community Partners in the Violence Suppression Council - DPD will join partners to review recent homicides and nonfatal shootings, identify recurring people, groups, locations and conditions connected to violence, and assign specific interventions to the agency best equipped to address them. More will be shared as the working group and plan are further developed.

"Gun violence has taken too much from this city this year," said Executive Director of Public Safety Al Gardner. "The officers and professional staff who contributed to, built, and will carry out this violence suppression action plan are making a promise to Denver that we will not accept violence as the norm. The work of the Denver Police Department and Chief Thomas continues to be focused, data-driven and it's making the city safer."

DPD continues to investigate and arrest offenders of violence. Currently, the clearance rate for homicides is 88%, which is well above national averages. Additionally, DPD consistently works with Denver's youth to show they are valued and how DPD supports them. Upcoming efforts include the Hoops for Safety basketball clinic, free Backpack and School Supply Giveaways, Camp Postcard, teaching juveniles golf, community and neighborhood events, and more.

Additionally, everyone has a role in public safety and DPD reminds folks to "Stop and Breathe" to prevent themselves from doing something violent that will not only impact their lives, but the lives of their loved ones and those they harm. Residents are also asked to report suspicious behaviors to DPD so we can work to address a situation before it escalates.

• Police Department