Fort Collins Police Use of Force Policy Guide

Public Safety Colorado 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 20, 2026 Flag of Colorado

This guide explains how police use-of-force policy is governed and enforced in Fort Collins, Colorado, who reviews incidents, and how residents can report concerns. It summarizes official policy sources, complaint pathways, and practical steps to seek review or appeal. Use this as a starting point for understanding internal reviews, possible criminal referrals, and municipal code references that control police conduct in Fort Collins.

If you witnessed or were involved in an incident, document time, location, and witnesses before filing a complaint.

Penalties & Enforcement

Fort Collins addresses police conduct primarily through Fort Collins Police Services policies and internal administrative processes; criminal charges for unlawful force are handled through prosecuting authorities. Specific disciplinary penalties and fine amounts for police use-of-force incidents are not specified on the cited policy pages and municipal code excerpts cited below.Police policies[1] Municipal Code[2]

  • Enforcer: Fort Collins Police Services Internal Affairs or professional standards unit and the City of Fort Collins administration for administrative discipline.
  • Criminal referral: Larimer County District Attorney for any alleged criminal conduct (not specified on the cited page).
  • Fines/monetary penalties: not specified on the cited policy pages.
  • Escalation: administrative discipline, retraining, suspension, or termination may apply; exact escalation steps and timeframes are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: internal reprimands, corrective action plans, suspension, termination, and policy retraining are typical administrative outcomes.
  • Appeal/review: administrative appeal processes are handled under department policy; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited pages.
Administrative and criminal processes can run in parallel but are handled by different authorities.

Applications & Forms

To initiate review, Fort Collins provides a police complaint process and intake form through the Police Department; details, submission methods, and any forms are on the official complaint page.File a complaint[3]

  • Form name: online complaint/intake (see official complaint page for current form and instructions).
  • Submission: online, mail, or in-person as described on the complaint page.
  • Deadlines: specific filing deadlines are not specified on the cited complaint page.

How investigations work

Investigations typically start with a complaint or internal referral, followed by evidence collection, witness interviews, and administrative review. Criminal elements are referred to the appropriate prosecuting authority. The department's policy documents describe review standards and use-of-force reporting requirements but do not list fixed monetary penalties for violations.

  • Evidence: body-worn camera and other recordings are used where available.
  • Compliance checks: internal audits and supervisory reviews.
  • Outcomes: administrative action, training, policy updates, or criminal referral.
Preserve evidence and record witness contacts promptly to support any review.

FAQ

Can I file a complaint about officer use of force?
Yes. File a complaint with Fort Collins Police Services via the department complaint page; an internal review or investigation will follow.
Will there be criminal charges automatically?
No. Criminal charges require evidence and prosecutorial review; not all administrative findings result in criminal charges.
How long do investigations take?
Investigation lengths vary; the cited policy pages do not give a fixed timeline for completion.

How-To

  1. Document the incident: note date, time, location, officer names, badge numbers, and witness contacts.
  2. Preserve evidence: save video, photos, and messages; note body camera use if known.
  3. Submit a complaint: use the Fort Collins Police complaint form or contact the department directly.
  4. Follow up: request status updates from the department and note any appeal deadlines provided in the response.
  5. Consider legal counsel: for civil claims or to understand remedies available through courts.

Key Takeaways

  • Fort Collins relies on department policy and internal review for use-of-force oversight.
  • Specific fines and fixed penalties for use-of-force incidents are not specified on the cited pages.
  • File complaints through the Police Department complaint process to trigger review.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Fort Collins Police policies and general orders
  2. [2] City of Fort Collins Municipal Code (Municode)
  3. [3] City of Fort Collins Police complaint and intake information

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