Cybercrime Incidents, Training, and Challenges for Colorado Law Enforcement

• In Event: Cybercrime Response and Readiness: Law Enforcement and Prevention Perspectives

Abstract

As cybercrime continues to evolve and become more sophisticated, equipping law enforcement with the necessary skills and resources to investigate these crimes is essential. This project assesses the preparedness of Colorado law enforcement to address cybercrime, identify challenges, and enhance training through a survey of 18 local police departments across the state. The most commonly reported cybercrime incidents that officers encounter include identity theft, child sexual abuse materials, and online scams. While most officers received training focused on general awareness of cybercrime and cybersecurity, they needed more specialized training in forensic software, navigating the dark web, and understanding resources available to fraud and identity theft victims. The findings suggest that although police officers have undergone some training in cybercrime, they face challenges in keeping pace with emerging trends and technologies, such as AI and new social media platforms, which attract cybercriminals and complicate investigations. Recommendations, implications, and limitations are discussed.

Author

• Vivian Guetler, University of Northern Colorado