HomeMy WebLinkAbout750981.tiff •
SAFETY COMMITTEE •
Addendum to Report Previously Filed
April 8, 1975
The County shall not provide a place of residence for the Sheriff.
Or 76-olffl
SAFETY COMMITTEE
PRELIMINARY REPORT
FEBRUARY 6, 1975
I. Sheriff's Department
The committee interviewed the following persons who presented their views
on the operation of the Sheriff's department. Following each person's statement
or presentation, questions were asked by the committee members.
District Attorney Robert N. Miller
District Judge Donald Carpenter
County Judge Scott Clugston
County Judge Jonathon Hayes
LaSalle Police Chief Dale Harvey
Sheriff Don Bower
Undersheriff Dick Shockley
The chief concerns to which the committee directed its attention were:
A. Qualifications for Sheriff, undersheriff and deputies.
B. Whether the Sheriff should be elected or appointed.
C. Whether Weld County should consider some sort of county-wide law
enforcement structure
D. What sort of training program should the Sheriff's department have.
Qualifications. Without exception those interviewed strongly favored the
establishment of minimum qualifications for sheriff candidates. First priority
was education, closely followed by experience. Not all those interviewed placed
education before experience, but all included both at the top of their list.
Recommendations for formal education requirements for sheriff ranged from courses
in police science to an A.A. degree and beyond to a B.A. degree in police science
or a related field. A minimum of law enforcement experience - with five to
seven years suggested - including experience in dealing with personnel matters
and administration was recommended by several of those appearing before the
committee. Non-academic training recommended for sheriff candidates were CLETA
(Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy) and the FBI course for law
enforcement officers.
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For the undersheriff, heading the list of qualifications was the recommendation
that candidates for this position be a professional law enforcement officer with
several years of experience. The experience should include a strong background in
the training of law enforcement personnel. Formal education in police science
and personnel administration were also suggested. Knowledge of court procedure
both in civil and criminal cases should be included in the candidates background.
At the undersheriff level, recommended qualifications included a high
school education, plus a training program such as is available through the
Colorado Law Enforcement Academy (CLETA) and the FBI. One person with long
experience in law enforcement expressed the view that the present CLETA program
of six weeks was minimal and probably should be extended. There was general
agreement that all undersheriff's should be qualified for state certification as
is now called for by July 1, 1975.
Sheriff elected vs. appointed. There was a variety of opinions as to whether
the sheriff should be elected or appointed. The overriding concern seemed to be
that the office be as removed from politics as possible. One or two who favored
appointing the sheriff did not strongly disagree with the sheriff being elected
as long as appropriate qualifications for the office were established.
If the position were to remain elective, then a strong undersheriff,
appointed after careful screening, was recommended so that at campaign time
only the sheriff would be involved in campaigning, not the undersheriff and
deputies.
Those who favored appointing the sheriff, also recommended his selection
through a citizen screening board and final appointment by the Commissioners,
in order to maintain a workable separation from politics.
Training. Persons who appeared before the Safety Committee were unanimous
in their call for a strong training program. Such programs to include careful
training in the handling of civil matters such as serving warrants, preparation
of evidence for court and testifying in court. Of course, the training would
include the usual patrol and administrative duties.
County Wide Law Enforcement Organization. Much discussion took place on
this matter. There was general agreement that a county-wide law enforcement
plan could produce greater efficiency and effectiveness, possibly with financial
savings. At the same time it was pointed out that such a plan should preserve the
identity of the present small towns and not replace local police forces with a
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professional law enforcement agency which would be to far removed from the local
community and its needs. Several counties now have county-wide agencies but there
are various plans under which they are organized so that community needs and
desires need not be over-ridden.
II. Juvenile Detention
A major contribution to the committee' s work was made by Mrs. Lundeen of
the League of Women Voters. Mrs. Lundeen reported on a study of juveniles and
the law being made by an advisory committee on the new Services Building (Law
Enforcement Facilities).
When a youth is apprehended in Weld County there are three places where he
can be held:
1. County Jail
2. City Jail
3. Adams County detention center - with the
permission of the Court.
A hearing must be held within 48 hours.
There are five "detention" centers in Colorado. These centers have more
services available and are for detention only; not punishment or treatment.
Extensive testing is available and a comprehensive evaluation of the youths
situation can be made. This is in contrast to a "shelter" facility which is
open and not locked. Detention facilities fall under the jurisdiction of the
State Department of Institutions.
The League of Women Voter' s, in their study, concluded that Weld County
does not need a detention center but rather, the recommendation is made that a
24 hour youth services program be made available. To illustrate - the Adams
County center has a capacity of 29, ages 10-18. In 1972 - 1973, 2,032 youths
were detained there. The average daily population was 23.2. Over half had not
committed a crime against society - rather were runaways, etc. Over the same
period, 134 youths from Weld-Larimer area were detained in the Adams County
facility. Seven (7) days was the average time spent. At the same time a
total of 890 youths from Weld and Adams County had been held in County jails.
There, the jail stay was approximately two (2) days. Mrs. Lundeen observed that
the jails are so bad that judges hesitate to commit a youth to them.
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The League suggests that money could be better spent on alternatives such
as the following:
A. Residential Type
1. Shelter homes - not locked
2. Small holdover facility separate from adult jail and
with staff on call.
3. Special group homes
4. Foster homes
B. Non-Residential
1. Intensive probation services
2. Day centers with remedial education
3. Drop-in centers
4. Vocational counseling and training
5. Identification and treatment of physical problems and
learning disabilities
6. Increased counseling in schools
7. Increased mental health services
Mrs. Lundeen suggested a master plan for youth services.
111. County Court
The County Court is really a lower state court and therefore not an integral
part of county government. The function of the court include the issuance of
summonses and the handling of misdemeanors and a few traffic violations. The
court relies on the Sheriff' s office for custodial care of anyone sentenced to
county jail. Also the court looks to the Sheriff for protection of the court in
the event of obstreporous defendents.
When the court sentences persons to serve time on weekends or at times when
they wouldn' t lose their jobs, the court again looks to the Sheriff' s office for
monitoring such a schedule.
IV. District Court
The District Court boundaries in Weld County correspond with the county
boundaries. A defendant is first brought before the court for advisement of his
rights. Next he is arraigned if probable cause is determined, followed by the
defendants plea and the court process is in motion. The district court depends
on the Sheriff' s office for handling the defendant and for presenting testimony
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about the circumstances of arrest. It is at this point that the training of the
Sheriff' s office is crucial, since a case may be dismissed for lack of proper
evidence.
The District Court also depends on the Sheriff's department for service of
warrants and other court papers.
V. District Attorney
Whether or not the D.A. may have a case can depend on how evidence is
gathered and presented before the court. Close cooperation between the Sheriff' s
personnel and the District Attorney' s office is important.
VI. New Services Building
The Committee on Safety heard from Mr. Neal Carpenter, architect for the new
building, as he discussed Phase II. This phase will include construction of the
law enforcement section of the structure. Mr. Carpenter emphasized that the
designers and builders are emphasizing . the "providing of space" and not solving
the community's law enforcement problems - this does not mean, of course, that
the building and its design won' t help solve those problems. The building is
not a programmatical answer to the community' s need but rather a physical
structure based on demonstrated statistical needs.
The facility is being built on a "pay as you go" schedule, based on a "cash
flow" of one to two million dollars a year. The cash flow derives from a
3 mil cash reserve levy and general revenue sharing.
Bids on "construction packages" have so far been coming in, in or below
original cost estimates.
The move in dates are projected at from 1z to 3 years from January 1975.
The law enforcement area provides separate facilities for juveniles and
adults, as well as secure entry and exit areas for vehicles bringing in suspects.
Up to date facilities, graduated from temporary holding areas to secure,
solitary confinement spaces and an outdoor, roof top, open air exercise area
are included in the design.
VII,. Ambulance and Coroner
The committee is consulting with the Health Committee and makes no additional
report on ambulance service and coroner at this time.
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VIII. Fire Districts
The Safety Committee has reviewed the status of fire districts throughout the
county. At this time the present structure of fire districts and their operation
seem adequate. The one area in the county not covered by an organized fire
district is the Grover area. However, an informal organization of residents in
the area respond when needed.
Weld County does not have or maintain a $10,000 fire fund as provided for
under state statute, but the Sheriff does serve as Fire Marshall.
IX. County Wide Communication System
A county-wide communication net work is planned and in the formative stage.
Such a system would provide the county. with immediate law enforcement, and other
emergency type communications. (Fire protection could be included in this
system. )
Respectfully Submitted,
George H. Brooks, Chairman
Glenn K. Billings
Edward L. Dunbar
Donald E. Altergott
Charley Baumgartner
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