THE PUEBLO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Like the Pueblo Police Department and the Rye Fire Protection District, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) is understaffed and making efforts to remedy that situation.
First year Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero, in an interview last Friday, shared some of the things the PCSO is doing, not only to meet staffing goals, but retain people by making the PCSO a positive work environment for the nearly 400 employees.
Currently, the PCSO is short about 20 detention deputies and 10 law enforcement deputies. This is much better than the 76 officers the department was down when Lucero began his tenure as Sheriff.
One of the changes is the doubling of the Human Relations (HR) staff and the addition of an Administrative Assistant for that department. Extra bodies have also been added to do background checks, a time consuming but critical part of the hiring process.
The HR staff has produced a recruitment video and are attending job fairs. They also plan to expand the search for law enforcement to adjoining states that don’t pay as well as Colorado.
The hiring cycle has also been increased. Recently, the twice a year cycle has been stepped up. In fact, so far in 2023, there have been eight hiring cycles.
Lucero came to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office almost 20 years ago from the Lamar Police Department under a lateral program; which, basically, means that because of his experience he didn’t have to begin in detention which is the traditional starting point for new deputies.
Sheriff Lucero has reinstituted that program, but is also cognizant of the desire to promote less experienced people from detention. The goal is to keep a balance between outside lateral moves and talented people already in the system.
Performance reports and supervisory recommendations are taken into account when a new group of deputies are selected.
Also weighed in the promotion spectrum are the number of extra things current employees participate in. Community involvement in the Honor Guard, Special Olympics or the Polar Plunge add weight to a person’s application. Things like aiding with Neighborhood Watch programs and involvement in other ways are considered a plus for candidates.
PCSO doesn’t have to deal with the out and out hate of law enforcement prevalent, generally, in larger communities; and feel that involvement in the community assists in preventing that public attitude.
The basis for modern day law enforcement was refined by Sir Robert Peel of London in 1829. Three of the basic precepts of the philosophy were that 1) the goal of preventing crime was not to catch criminals but stopping crime before it happened. An effective police department doesn’t have high arrest rates but its community has low crime rates. 2) The key to preventing crime is earning public support. Every community member must share the responsibility of preventing crime. They accept this responsibility and support and trust the law enforcement agency. 3) The officers earn public support by respecting community principals. Winning public support requires hard work to build reputation, enforcing the law impartially, hiring officers who represent and understand the community and use force only as a last resort.
Another way to enhance the force is a stipend for existing employees who refer quality people. If you refer someone and they put your name on the application, pass the necessary steps for employment and stay at least six months, the referring party gets $500.
If you stay with the PCSO for a year the referring employee gets an additional $1000.
Although hiring is at the forefront, a solid, due process for employee discipline is also essential. If there is a decision made in regard to an employee, they have a number of avenues at their disposal to present their case.
The first step is a review by one of the seven Captains in charge of their division. After that they may appeal to one of the two Bureau Chiefs, the Undersheriff and finally the Sheriff himself. The only person who can make a termination stick is Sheriff Lucero.
Another way Lucero has, in effect, increased his force is via the deputization of Pueblo Police officers for traffic operations only. This was also coordinated with the Colorado Highway Patrol.
Now, at a traffic event, two PCSO deputies are joined by two Pueblo Police Department Officers and two Colorado State Troopers. Lucero feels traffic enforcement is important because it often leads to the opportunity to catch people wanted for other crimes.
Lucero’s biggest surprise, so far, is the amount of his time that gets spent trying to stop misguided legislation. This year he has already spent eight days in Denver at the legislature.
Sheriff Lucero is a member of the County Sheriffs of Colorado, and has been appointed by the Governor to the Peace Officers Standard and Training Board and the Natural Board of Medicine.
The latter is important because it will set the standards for the psychedelic mushroom, approved in the last election as medicinal.
Sheriff Lucero says Pueblo County law enforcement agencies work well together. He describes his relationship with District Attorney Jeff Chostner as very good, and gets a lot of input from other agencies during the monthly Chief’s meeting hosted by the District Attorney Representatives at the Chief’s meeting come from PCSO, PPD, Pueblo Community College, the state hospital, FBI, DEA, State Fish and Game, DA’s Office, Homeland Security, State Patrol, the US Attorney’s Office and the CBI.
One of Lucero’s campaign promises were countywide meetings. So far, he has had four, including one in Colorado City and he plans to continue those.
Although Lucero was born in Raton, New Mexico and worked in Lamar, he and his wife both attended CSUPueblo and their desire was always to be part of the Pueblo area.
Sheriff Lucero’s philosophy of making things work is simple. He summarized our visit simply, “Try and do the right thing, for the right reason, at the right time.”