After a nationwide search for qualified candidates, the Wheat Ridge Police Department has found a proven leader that will not just fit into the department’s culture but add to it.
Division Chief Shawn Wray started with the Wheat Ridge Police Department on January 20. He brings decades of law enforcement experience and will lead the Support Services Division of the police department. Support Services includes the Investigations Bureau, Records Team, Evidence, Crime Analytics and the various task forces Wheat Ridge PD is a part of.
“Relationship-Based Policing and the family environment is what really drew me here,” Division Chief Wray said. “After talking to people in the area, everyone has outlined how this is a great place to work. It really is a family.”
Division Chief Wray grew up in Santee California, just outside of San Diego. His law enforcement career started in 200 when he joined the La Mesa Police Department, which is another suburb of San Diego. La Mesa PD has a lot of similarities to Wheat Ridge PD, both in the size of their departments and the dynamics of neighboring a major American city. Division Chief Wray took a position with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office in 2008, where he took on several leadership roles including serving as a Lieutenant at the Sheriff’s Office and serving as the Academy Director. He also brings experience as a detective for La Mesa PD’s Violent Crime Task Force, an FBI certified bomb squad technician and serving on the SWAT Team.
“My strength is in establishing relationships with people, especially those in this profession,” Division Chief Wray said. “I want to pay forward the lessons that I learned in my career and mentor as many people as I can.”
Division Chief Wray is an avid outdoor activity enthusiast, so coming to Colorado is a perfect fit! He can’t wait to start exploring Colorado’s trails, mountain biking and paddle boarding. A father of four, he and his wife of 30 years is excited to start a new chapter in this state.
“Shawn comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience but more importantly, he comes with the right attitude and culture for this agency,” Wheat Ridge Police Chief Chris Murtha said. “I am confident that he will exceed all our expectations.”
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Leading with Compassion During the Cold Months
Colorado winters can be unforgiving, especially for people who are living on the streets. That’s why the Wheat Ridge Police Department partnered with the city’s Housing and Homeless Navigators to help people experiencing homelessness this winter.
The city’s Housing and Homeless Navigators created dozens of cold kits in the Fall of 2024. Each kit is stocked with hats, mittens, gloves, socks, handwarmers, snacks, water, electrolytes and more. In addition to items to keep people warm, the kits had printed locations for severe-weather shelters and contact information for Wheat Ridge Navigators to better connect people with the resources they need when we see the coldest conditions.
Partnerships like these exemplify what makes Wheat Ridge unique. The city is filled with employees who care and want to find new and creative ways to make an impact for anyone who calls Wheat Ridge home.
The Wheat Ridge Police Department handed out more than 70 kits over November and December of 2024, and is working with both Navigators to get even more to the department and out on the streets. This program outlines a core mission of the Wheat Ridge Police Department, to serve the community with compassion and help people on their worst days.
