The halls of the old Lutheran Medical Center, once bustling with activity, were cold and dusty in February.
During the final month before crews started dismantling portions of the old hospital, the Wheat Ridge Police Department took advantage of a unique opportunity to use the vacant space as a training ground.
The department dedicates the month of February to what is called “In-Service Training.” This is a time to review best practices, new techniques and new laws and policy changes in the department. Every week for five weeks, 20% of the department’s officers are pulled off the streets and into the classroom.
This year, the department ramped up active shooter scenarios, using a wing of the old Lutheran Medical Center to practice for active shooter response. While there are other facilities around the city to do this kind of training, like the DeAngelis Center and Kullerstrand Elementary, the old hospital presented a unique opportunity for a new location to train that may not be as familiar to all of the department’s officers.
Through the month of February, screams and cries for help filled the hollow hallways of the old hospital as volunteers wore fake injuries, staging as nurses to try and simulate a realistic scenario with stakes. Officers worked to sweep the building to identify the threat before moving on to triaging victims.
Training is a cornerstone of the Wheat Ridge Police Department and the department is doubling down on its commitment to training in 2026.
Last year, the department created a new leadership role in a Training Sergeant. That individual is now centralizing all department training operations, documentation and scheduling. The Training Sergeant is now tasked with running the curriculum for In-Service Training, in addition to working throughout the year on assessing department needs, emerging trends and future training initiatives.
Training is a core part of not only creating public safety, but officer safety as well. The department focuses on training because repetition and mastery minimizes mistakes that could be the difference between life and death.
The Wheat Ridge Police Department has been leveraging partnerships with other agencies, including the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, to find cutting-edge ways to train. The sheriff’s office recently lent the department virtual reality headsets to amplify regular TASER training. Engaging with other agencies has created several opportunities to find new sites and tactics to train.
As the department ramps up training in 2026, leaders are encouraging officers to focus on the gaps in their performance and turn those into strengths. The department is confident this direction will yield great results for the development of officers and assist them in achieving their goals in a law enforcement career.
As the work to tear down the hospital ramps up this spring, we are reminded of our history in Wheat Ridge, and where we as a community are heading in the coming years. The Wheat Ridge Police Department firmly believes an investment and commitment to training will make this community safer for decades to come.
