Duplication of Police Services

Over the last year or so, the subject of the Walsenburg Police Department has been discussed several times in council meetings and financial committee meetings.  The department comes under scrutiny each time the city manager brings up the subject of budget deficits.  The city manager is not the one who brings up the subject of how big a percentage of the budget is consumed by the police department.

For some unknown reason the police department is considered untouchable as an entity.  There is no lack of law enforcement personnel in the Huerfano County area. It is a duplication of services that is a costly. It is completely feasible to merge police duties with the sheriff's department.

The main objection to a merger comes from those who want to keep police force under city manager control, and the police officers who might lose a position.  At least, the electorate has some control of the person who is elected sheriff.  The police department is under complete control of the city manager.  They have no obligation to anyone outside the city government.

Between the local D.A. and the local police there seems to be very little crime solving.  Any time a crime is investigated locally, it has a high probability of being turned over to the CBI.  With this happening on a regular basis, why pay for a city department?

The police cars had their identity numbers removed.  The chief says he knows who is in which car.  Why does the public need to be able to identify a police car by number?  My question is why shouldn't the public be able to identify a police car by number?

Instead of constantly seeking to add new taxes to Walsenburg citizens, why not eliminate the duplication of services created by having two law enforcement agencies in a town of less than 3,000.