RTD Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald Sr. has been on leave for over a month, with the agency citing “alleged policy violations” as the reason for the investigation. Although the specific policies violated have not been disclosed, concerns have been raised by current and former staff about Fitzgerald’s performance during his two-year tenure. Security badge data obtained through a public records request revealed that Fitzgerald only swiped his badge an average of nine days a month while leading the department.
Fitzgerald was hired in response to safety concerns on RTD buses and light rail. He emphasized his focus on increasing security during his swearing-in ceremony in 2022. Despite being one of the highest-paid police chiefs in the state, there were early warnings about Fitzgerald’s absence and history from former officers. RTD has remained tight-lipped about the ongoing investigation and reiterated their commitment to professional conduct and adherence to policies and procedures by all employees.
The public remains eager for answers regarding Fitzgerald’s suspension and the nature of the policy violations that led to the investigation. As a public agency, RTD is expected to be transparent in addressing issues involving its employees. The situation surrounding Fitzgerald raises questions about accountability and transparency within the agency, and the public is eagerly awaiting further updates on the investigation.
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