Chair Clark Hammelman  
Robert Dziubla  
Trevor Knotts  
Public Safety Commission  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Richard Morton  
Andy Powell  
Steve Thayer  
Laurie Van Court  
Thursday, November 6, 2025  
3:00 PM  
Castle Rock Municipal Courtroom  
100 Perry St., Castle Rock, CO 80104  
This meeting is open to the public. Please note that all times indicated on the agenda are approximate and  
interested parties are encouraged to be present earlier than the posted time.  
Call to Order and Attendance  
Chairperson Hammelman called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.  
7 -  
Present  
Chair Clark Hammelman, Richard Morton, Laurie Van Court, Andy Powell, Robert Dziubla,  
Trevor Knotts, and Steve Thayer  
Approval of Meeting Minutes  
Mr. Dzuibla moved to approve the October 2, 2025 minutes. Ms. Van Court  
seconded the motion; the motion carried.  
PS 2025-026  
Public Safety Commission Meeting Minutes - Oct. 2, 2025  
7 - Chair Hammelman, Morton, Van Court, Powell, Dziubla, Knotts, and Thayer  
Yes:  
PS 2025-027  
CRFD September Report  
Fire Department Report  
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Budget Update: Chief Croom reported that the 2026 budget was  
approved at the October 21st Council Meeting. CRFD received an  
approximate $1.1 million increase (after requesting $1.6 million). Because  
impact fees are projected to decline in 2026, some vehicle purchases will  
need to be funded through the general fund.  
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Equipment Purchases: The purchase of two engines was approved on  
the most recent consent agenda. Delivery is expected in approximately 51  
months.  
Wildfire Mitigation  
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Centennial Park: CRFD is actively conducting wildfire mitigation in  
Centennial Park, identified as a high-risk area.  
Escavera: A three-acre parcel in Escavera has also been  
completed in the mitigation plan.  
Metzler Family Open Space: CRFD is partnering with the  
Colorado state fire service to mitigate a 23-acre parcel in the  
Metzler Family Open Space. A fire break will be created between  
the open space and Timber Ridge neighborhood. This area is  
affected by pine beetle kill and an active infestation.  
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Staff Updates:  
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Kevin Sullivan has been promoted to Division Chief/Fire Marshal.  
The department is holding off on filling the Assistant Fire Marshal  
position until the Fire Plans Examiner role is filled.  
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Jeff Wenzel, from New Mexico, has been hired as Logistics Chief  
and will begin January 5, 2026.  
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Station 156 Community Meeting: A neighborhood meeting will be held  
November 17th at the Public Safety Training Facility to discuss Station 156.  
Attendees will view artistic renderings and engage with fire officials about  
Castle Rock’s newest fire station.  
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Response Times: Station 156 is expected to cut response times  
in half; current response times in this area average 13-14 minutes.  
Logistics Center: Station 156 will include a Logistics Center,  
consolidating equipment storage in one location.  
Station 156 Funding: The estimated cost to build the entire facility  
is $20.9 million. Certificates of Participation (COPs) will be  
presented to Council on December 2nd , with a second reading on  
December 16th . COPs will be issued in January to bridge an $8  
million funding gap.  
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Physician Advisor Search: CRFD is interviewing candidates for a new  
physician advisor. This role is critical, as EMTs and paramedics operate  
under the advisor’s medical license.  
Equipment Audit: CRFD is auditing equipment to identify expired or  
outdated items. This work is necessary to prepare for the 2027 budget  
cycle, which begins in early 2026.  
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Medic Units: Two new medic units have arrived and are being outfitted as  
part of the standard replacement schedule.  
Commission Member Discussion:  
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Commissioner Dzuibla asked about clandestine labs in Castle  
Rock. Chief Croom, with Chief Cauley concurring, reported that  
such labs are not a significant issue locally.  
Commissioner Knotts inquired about survey cards sent to patients.  
Chief Croom explained that cards are sent to every patient, though  
the return rate is only 10-15%.  
Commissioner Morton asked about the mandatory call-back list.  
Chief Croom provided an explanation of the process.  
PS 2025-028  
CRPD September Report  
Police Department Report  
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Promotional Processes: CRPD completed four promotional processes  
for the ranks of Deputy Chief, Commander, Sergeant, and Corporal. This  
was the largest promotional process in CRPD history, with 24 candidates  
competing for 8 vacancies. Each candidate underwent an AI-generated  
360 assessment based on stakeholder feedback (Sergeants and Master  
Police Officers).  
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Oral Boards: Oral boards were conducted by Commanders and the Chief.  
Forced rankings were calculated using responses from stakeholders,  
commanders, and the Chief.  
Promotional Philosophy: Chief Cauley explained why CRPD values  
conducting its own promotional process rather than hiring an outside  
assessment center. The department’s philosophy emphasizes hiring,  
training, and promoting from within.  
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Promotions Announced:  
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Deputy Chief: Sam Varela  
Commanders: Dustin Frost, Brad Fruh  
Sergeants: Matt Fellows, Connor Grega, John Mullineaux  
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Corporals: Darsel Polite, Erik Young  
All promotions take effect January 3, 2026.  
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IACP Conference: Chief Cauley presented two sessions at the  
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference: Infinite  
Game of Policing and AI for Hiring Promotions/Evaluations. The  
conference was attended by over 16,000 law enforcement professionals  
and industry partners.  
DFR Program: CRPD hosted a news conference with Flock partners on  
the Drones as First Responders (DFR) program. Coverage was positive.  
The program has been operational since August with one dock; two  
additional docks are planned. Drones are currently flown by SRT officers,  
with dispatchers expected to pilot in the future.  
Commission Member Questions on Drones:  
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What triggers a deployment? Chief Cauley explained that certain  
call types drive deployment.  
Are Flock personnel on site at CRPD? No. Two CRPD officers  
assigned to the real-time crime center operate the drones.  
Are there competitors to Flock? Yes. Axon has also launched a  
drone program.  
Has the fire department requested PD drones? Chief Croom  
confirmed the fire department has not made such requests.  
Do the drones have infrared technology? Yes, they are equipped  
with infrared capability.  
New Business  
The PSC currently has two open positions. The Commission has stated its intent  
to fill these vacancies for the remainder of the existing terms. At the request of  
PSC Chair Hammelman, staff were asked whether the list of alternates from the  
May interviews is available.  
Chief Croom advised clarification is needed on whether those alternates remain  
available to serve or if they have since been appointed to other commissions. An  
inquiry will be made through the Town Manager’s office to see which alternates are  
available and how to reach out with an offer to fill the vacancies.  
Commission members agreed that should the alternates not be available; the  
Commission will wait until May to conduct its regular interview cycle.  
Old Business  
Commissioner Comments and Questions  
Adjourn  
Mr. Thayer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Knotts seconded the  
motion. All were in favor.  
The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.  
The next Public Safety Commission meeting is scheduled for December 4, 2025  
at the Police Department.