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Brighton UPD update: detective commended for mountain rescue; recruitment push aims to reduce overtime
Summary
Unified Police reported busy canyon activity and search-and-rescue calls; the council presented a certificate commending Detective Anna Walker for carrying an injured 12-year-old hiker to help and coordinating with Unified Fire. UPD described recruitment efforts including lateral hires and upcoming recruit camps to reduce mandatory overtime.
Unified Police provided a monthly update to the Brighton Town Council highlighting high visitor volumes, canyon traffic challenges and an increase in search-and-rescue operations.
The council read and presented a certificate commending Detective Anna Walker for an August incident in which she and a civilian nurse treated and evacuated an injured 12-year-old hiker; the certificate praised Walker for "going above and beyond" and for community-oriented policing on the trails. Mayor (unnamed) and council members publicly thanked her for the action.
UPD representatives also described recent staffing and recruitment efforts. They plan a fall recruit camp beginning Oct. 16 with 17 new-hire participants and expect another recruit camp in February aimed at hiring 36 firefighters in partnership with regional departments. UPD is using a short-term strategy of incentivizing lateral transfers — officers already certified elsewhere — to reduce mandatory overtime and stabilize staffing while longer-term recruits complete academy training.
Officers noted canyon traffic mitigation measures and asked residents to report trespassers and suspicious persons so UPD can locate and document incidents. The UPD update also referenced interagency training with Unified Fire and the value of familiarizing responders with trail access for faster rescues.
Next steps: UPD will continue recruitment efforts (lateral incentives and recruit camps) and coordinate with Unified Fire on canyon response and training.
