Littleton Police Department Announces Chief Doug Stephens’ Retirement
Published on December 03, 2025
The Littleton Police Department (LPD) announces the upcoming retirement of Police Chief Doug Stephens, whose last day of service will be April 3, 2026.
Chief Stephens’ distinguished career spans more than three decades, marked by exceptional leadership, deep compassion, and a lasting impact on both the department and the community.
Chief Stephens began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the Denver Police Department, where he served in a wide range of assignments. He headed Denver’s gang unit and worked in roles including street patrol, internal affairs, officer training, and hostage negotiations. His broad experience and steady leadership style positioned him as a respected voice in law enforcement across the region.
Raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Stephens graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in criminal justice. He later earned his master’s degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and successfully completed the FBI National Academy, Session 231, in 2007.
Throughout his career, Chief Stephens has demonstrated a leadership philosophy rooted in empowerment and support. He often notes that a good leader “supports the individual and the team while empowering them to achieve their goals,” and he has brought that approach to every role he has held.
Reflecting on his time in uniform, Chief Stephens shared, “My favorite memories are a combination of all the laughs and camaraderie with the people I’ve worked with. My fellow officers are a part of my family.”
Since joining the LPD in 2013, Chief Stephens has made an indelible mark on the organization. His leadership, compassion, and personality have created a positive and lasting influence on the community and on each of the officers and individuals who have had the honor of serving under him.
During his time in Littleton, Chief Stephens has led the department, expanding from 73 sworn officers to the current staffing of 88 sworn and 34 professional staff. During his tenure as chief, the department has been awarded CALEA reaccreditation three times, instituted a robust employee wellness program, implemented body-worn video for all sworn personnel, reestablished the proactive Special Enforcement Team, developed and implemented the mental health Co-Responder Program, and grown the School Resource Officer program to include a supervisor and the department’s first companion K9, Rudder.
During his years of service, Chief Stephens’ leadership has improved officer and professional staff recruitment, training, and retention. These efforts have continued to build on the tremendous trust placed in the department by the Littleton community.
“Working in law enforcement for the past 35 years has been an amazing adventure with many changes along the way. I wouldn’t trade any of my experiences, especially my last 12 years as Chief here in Littleton. Littleton is truly an amazing place with a community that genuinely loves their police officers, and it has been my honor to serve as your chief. While I’ll miss the camaraderie in the department and the support of our community, I look forward to the next chapter in my life as I enjoy retirement with my wife and family,” said Chief Stephens.
The City of Littleton is thankful for Chief Stephens’s unwavering commitment and service to the Littleton community and wishes him the best as he pursues his next chapter.
“Chief Stephens has served Littleton with honor and distinction for many years. He has built a culture of caring and professionalism in the police department that will endure long beyond his tenure. I am thankful to have worked closely with him and thank him for his service to the community, for his support, and his (mostly) good humor as a colleague and friend,” said City Manager Jim Becklenberg.
The City of Littleton is working closely with the human resources department to determine next steps for the recruitment of the next police chief. Additional information will be shared as the process moves forward.