By Shannon Lukens.

 

Four new police officers for the Steamboat Springs Police Department were sworn in and pinned Wednesday night, by Police Chief Mark Beckett.

 

SSPD Officer Will Kitzman

Will Kitzman, Haley DuPuis and Axel Rios Gutierrez recently graduated from the Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy through Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs. It’s a 16-week program. The new officers now begin 16 weeks of field training with a veteran police officer.

 

Jessica Pierce joins the Steamboat Springs Police Department from the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Also at the ceremony, Commander Rich Brown was recognized with his new badge.

Administrative Manager Jamie Malone was promoted.

 

In Investigations, Patrol Sergeant Sam Silva will head back into the Detective Sergeant position after a year and a half in his patrol role. Previously, he spent six years in investigations handling many high-profile cases. Routt County Sheriff Doug Scherar also spoke about Sgt. Silva, saying they have been best friends for 37 years, having met on the first day of 7th grade.

 

Detective Greg Griffin was promoted to Patrol Sergeant after two years in the investigation division. Griffin also serves as an instructor in a number of areas for SSPD and will continue with those duties.

 

Nadine Sisto

Community Service Officer Nadine Sisto and Records Technician Zac Boone officially joined the department.

 

In addition to his patrol duties, Police Officer Dunte Valrey will take on additional duties as hiring officer, responsible for hiring and recruitment across the SSPD.

 

The Steamboat Springs Police Department will now have 29 sworn officers and 19 professional civilians.

 

A press release from the City of Steamboat Springs says that last year, the department responded to more than 13,000 calls for service across patrol services, investigations, evidence, animal control, community service and records.

 

“Having your badge pinned, especially the very first one, is a significant accomplishment and something to be shared across the department and community,” said Police Chief Mark Beckett. “We’re almost fully staffed, something that hasn’t been the case for a while, and the department and this team is showing why this is the place people want to be a part of.”