It’s an alarming problem that contrasts with a force of more than 600 officers that is regularly acknowledged as one of the best and best-run agencies in the nation.

For years, Aurora’s police department has been lauded and emulated by other agencies in the United States and around the world.

Aurora did ground-breaking work with community policing in the 1980s. The city was innovative and effective in handling a wave of gang violence in the 1990s.

While much of the nation has politicized handling a large population of illegal immigrants, Aurora police have been steadfastly pragmatic. Cops here understand that using local officers as immigration police endangers everyone.

Aurora has long stood behind the rights of LGBTQ officers, employees and citizens. Aurora police actively recruit gay and lesbian applicants to an agency that sets the bar high for respectfulness and equality.

Aurora is one the most culturally diverse cities in the nation. Its police department is renown for treating all residents with respect, dignity and compassion.

So it’s unfathomable that a police department of this caliber cannot fire the rare officer who is the antithesis of the agency – a racist, a moron or a jerk.

Read more at sentinelcolorado.com