By Matt Kroschel
CENTRAL CITY, Colo. (CBS4) – One of Colorado’s longest serving police departments will disband, a move city leaders call a cost-saving measure.
Talks began last year between the Central City Police Department and Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office regarding supplemental law enforcement services by contract.
City leaders tell CBS4 those discussions have continued since that time and most recently a viable option was presented and accepted by the city to contract law enforcement services with the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office.
Daniel Miera, City Manager for the City of Central said, “As a city manager, it is a necessary part of my job to continually monitor and evaluate the efficiencies and effectiveness of all city operations and to explore and identify alternative solutions where adjustments are required. It is commonplace in the public sector that we are challenged with the task of doing more with less. In an environment where fiscal responsibility is at the forefront of any service operation, especially with respect to public funds, it would be irresponsible for the City to ignore an option that could provide increased service levels at a decreased cost to the city. Although this is a prudent and fiscally responsible business decision, it is not without heavy hearts that this decision was made.”
Gilpin County Sheriff Bruce Hartman says his department is looking forward to the new task.
“The sheriff’s office has a good handle on community policing,” said Hartman. “We are very involved in the community and our School Resource Officer is a one example of that. We look forward to continuing the relationships that Central City Police Department has built with its citizens and will work hard to earn their trust in us.”
“Central City is a big part of Gilpin County since it is the county seat and as such, the sheriff’s office is already invested in the City and its citizens,” said Hartman.
The city and county are currently working on the Ingergovernmental Agreement but it has not been finalized. Daniel Miera stated, “we will take into consideration a time frame that will provide the greatest amount of notice to all impacted employees; design a seamless and uninterrupted transition; and maintain as much of the City’s identity as possible. Citizens can be assured that the police department will continue fully functioning during this transition time with no lapse in law enforcement services.”
Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.