Captain Joseph Padilla has commanded the Gang, Juvenile and Traffic Operations Bureau’s of the Denver Police Department. He has managed several large events including the traffic and transportation plan for the Democratic National Convention, the World Series, Presidential visits, large protests, parades and other high profile activities.
Joseph has experience resolving personnel issues, developing staffing and deployment protocols, analyzing crime trends, identifying community concerns and scheduling special events. He is currently the commander of the Professional Standards/Civil Liability Bureau. In this position he is responsible for identifying and producing relevant records in contemplation of litigation or pursuant to claims and lawsuits. Additionally he supervises the Professional Standards, Secondary Employment, Limited Duty and Court Liaison units of the police department. He previously served as the manager of the Investigative Support Center for the Rocky Mountain H.I.D.T.A. (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) program. Responsibilities included coordinating narcotics intelligence information and the management of local, state and federal intelligence personnel assigned to Colorado, Utah and Wyoming and establishing interstate connectivity of statewide intelligence systems. During his thirty-plus year career Joe has survived several critical incidents, including being involved in fatal police shootings. He has received his department’s Medal of Honor (including being nominated for the Presidential Medal of Valor), 3 Medals of Valor, 2 Distinguished Service Crosses, 4 Police Merit Medals and numerous “Officer of the Year” awards. His education was at the University of Denver and Metropolitan State College of Denver, and he is a graduate of the 235th session of the FBI National Academy. Although he is now in a management position, Joe always remembers and identifies with the officers most exposed to the hazards of law enforcement.
