Aspen is a unique place to live, to visit, and to work. Just as unique is the Patrol Division of the Aspen Police Department. Whether by bicycle, horseback, on foot, or patrol car, the Patrol Division provides 24-hour police services to the approximately four-square-mile City of Aspen.

Responding to a variety of calls including criminal, civil and emergency medical calls, patrol officers are trained in handling any situation that may arise. In addition to responding to urgent needs, officers provide crime prevention services such as ski and bicycle registration, vacation home checks, and security surveys for homes and businesses.

And while Aspen is unique, there is no escape from the day-to-day police work of traffic enforcement and car accident investigation. To help alleviate the tense interaction of vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians who share the roadways, sometimes causing congestion, officers enforce speed limits and pedestrian right-of-way violations in an attempt to educate all who use our streets and highways.

The ultimate display of this safety-driven education is the aggressive enforcement of drinking and driving violations. Aspen Police Patrol Officers made about 100 arrests in the year 2000 for DUI.

Another expression of the unique nature of the Aspen Police Department is the patrol car. Since the early 1970s the streets of Aspen have been patrolled by Saab police cars. While some might find this strange, the Swedish designed front-wheel-drive car perfectly suits Aspen’s high-alpine climate. In late 2005, the Department will be switching from the Saabs to Volvo XC90 SUV's. The XC90's will allow for more room for gear and personel as well as upgraded digital video systems, new radar and 4 wheel drive.