Denver Police Corrected Crash Reporting Policy
Department leaders clarified rules after officers mistakenly treated traffic crashes as civil matters.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Denver police leadership issued corrections after officers erroneously believed that exchanging insurance information meant they were not required to file official crash reports. The confusion led to at least one instance where an officer failed to document a collision that occurred on June 5, 2026.
Why it matters
The misunderstanding created a lapse in official record-keeping, as officers incorrectly assumed that private insurance agreements took precedence over department reporting mandates. This policy clarification ensures that all eligible traffic accidents are properly documented for legal and insurance purposes.
The Denver Police Department formally documented the policy misunderstanding in the personnel file of Ofc. William Ladouceur. Mandatory investigations are required for all crashes resulting in at least $1,000 in property damage.
The players
Joel Bell
He is a Denver Police Commander who addressed the department's reporting policy misunderstandings.
William Ladouceur
He is a Denver police officer whose crash reporting practices were subject to departmental review.
John Schroyer
He is a Denver resident involved in the June 2026 traffic accident that prompted the policy correction.
The details
Commander Joel Bell intervened after Ofc. William Ladouceur failed to file a report for a crash at Kalamath and Alameda, later apologizing to the resident and ensuring the paperwork was finalized. The department addressed the issue by emailing District 3 officers and emphasizing the reporting requirements during roll calls.
Timeline
A traffic crash occurred on June 5, 2026.
Ofc. Ladouceur wrote 35 crash reports in May 2026.
Ofc. Ladouceur wrote 58 crash reports in June 2026.
The delayed crash report was written on June 26, 2026.
Ofc. Ladouceur wrote 55 crash reports in July 2026.
Legal Context
The situation reflects the internal enforcement of the Denver Police Department mandatory crash investigation policy. It highlights how operational misunderstandings can impact legal documentation standards within a municipal police force.
Residents involved in traffic accidents in Denver should expect officers to file a formal report regardless of whether insurance information was exchanged at the scene. This ensures that drivers have official documentation needed for insurance claims or potential legal proceedings.
The takeaway
Drivers should always request that a police officer document any traffic accident that meets the local damage threshold. Relying solely on a private insurance exchange can leave motorists without necessary official evidence for their claims.
Further reading
For more information on department procedures, visit Law Enforcement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Colorado Springs Gazette.
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