For Colorado’s 28 newly elected sheriffs, there’s more to the job than wearing a gun and badge and making arrests.
Sheriffs not only run police agencies with patrolmen and detectives. But they also must manage county jails, serve as fire marshals and know the civil process, “which no one who hasn’t been a sheriff knows about,” said Chris Johnson, executive director of the County Sheriffs of Colorado.
The newly elected sheriffs gathered bright and early Monday to begin the two-week New Sheriffs Institute at the County Sheriffs of Colorado office at the Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Center. The school is held every four years as voters regularly replace some of the state’s 62 elected sheriffs.
“It’s what’s required of the sheriff other than putting a badge on and going to get bad guys,” said Gabe Joiner, sheriff-elect of Cheyenne County.
Even sheriffs such as Arapahoe County’s David Walcher, who spent years as undersheriff and now has served as sheriff since February, must attend.
Some such as Robert Jackson, sheriff-elect of Alamosa County, have been police officers but never sheriff’s deputies.
“The law enforcement is the same, but the similarities stop there,” Johnson said.
Still, experienced lawmen like Walcher said they have plenty to learn during the two-week session.
“Number one, I’m looking forward to getting to know my fellow sheriffs,” Walcher said. “We can learn things from what other people are doing.”
Adams County Sheriff-Elect Michael McIntosh, a 27-year veteran of the department, said he was eager for the formal lessons as well as the networking.
“As long as I’ve been in law enforcement, there’s always something to learn,” McIntosh said. “They’re going to ensure that when we take that first step we’re headed in the right direction and don’t fall into some of the pitfalls that are out there.”
The two-week session includes classes on everything from insurance requirements to collective bargaining to suicide prevention inside jails.
Classes began Monday with a lesson on the history and traditions of county sheriffs in Colorado.
In the past year, Colorado’s sheriffs have wielded their political influence beyond their individual borders.
Sheriffs led the charge to file a that mandated background checks and limited magazine capacity.
The state’s sheriffs have not been immune to controversy. Several at the new sheriffs school had survived rugged campaigns for office, and some are replacing sheriffs who have come under legal scrutiny.
Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith reminded the new crop of sheriffs of their powerful voices during his opening lecture on the history and tradition of the position.
“It was us getting together, not just as law enforcement officers, but as keepers of our communities,” he said of the gun-control lawsuit.
Smith urged the sheriffs-elect to begin using the title “sheriff” because they need to realize how in-demand they are in their communities now that they have been elected.
“Don’t let it go to your head, but get used to it,” Smith said. “People bestow that upon you and it’s a great honor.”
Noelle Phillips: 303-954-1661, nphillips@denverpost.com or twitter.com/Noelle_Phillips
