Patrol

 

"Officer Vern" is a full time School Resource Officer who teaches D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) in all RE-1 schools. D.A.R.E. is taught in all 5th and 7th grade classes as well as any other grade levels when requested by a teacher. Officer Vern has his own D.A.R.E. web site at www.cortezdare.com

 

One dedicated to the Cortez High School and one dedicated to the Cortez Middle School

             

All team members have completed a 40 hour basis SWAT school and numerous additional hours of related trainings.

 

See pictures of K-9 teams.

 

We currently have 17 certified Bike Patrol Officers. They have all completed a rigorous 40 hours bike training school.

 

We have one Officer, on loan, who is a full time member of the 22 District Judicial Drug Task Force.

 

These officers have completed a minimum of 40 hours of formal training along with 40 hours of observation with an ICAC Task Force

 

FTO's take the lead in training all new officers in a 14 week process, only after the new officers has graduated from a 4 month accredited Colorado peace officers standards and training (P.O.S.T.) certified academy.

  

Other specialties within the Patrol Division are:

 

·         Tracking team

·         Level 1 and level 2 traffic investigators

·         Meth lab clean up team

·         Sharp shooters – part of the SRT Team

·         Armor's

·         Certified VIN inspectors

·         Certified Lidar officers

·         Intoxilyzer instructors

·         Horizontal gaze nystagmus instructor

·         Standard field sobriety test instructor

·         Fire arms instructors

·         Less lethal munitions instructor

·         Taser instructors

·         First aid and CPR instructor

·         Defensive driving instructor

·         Arrest control instructors

·         Assault prevention workshop instructors

                            Provide classes to the public

·         Drug recognition instructor

·         Fitness instructor

 

Because of constantly changing professional standards, improved technology, and new court decisions and laws, training is a never ceasing process.

 

Other trainings that are required, and/or desired to enhance the professionalism of the Cortez Police Officers includes:

           

 

 

 

  

 

Other services included under the Patrol Division are:

 

·     Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00

·     Animal Code Enforcement, (prevention of cruelty to animals, tags required, vaccinations required, dogs running at large, keeping of vicious animal, maintenance of animals that disturb the peace

·     Quarantine and disposition of animals that bit or attack people

·     Skunk traps

·     Traps for feral cats

·     Picking up and securing stray dogs

·     Dealing with wildlife issues

·     Working closely with the animal shelter

  

·     Parking runs / complaints

·     Speed wagon placement

·     Graffiti clean up

·     Abandoned motor vehicles

·     Weed control enforcement

 

·     Manages specially assigned programs or projects in the operations and/or planning of the Emergency Management Division.

·     Coordinates operation and planning for emergency support functions for the county's Emergency Operations Plan.

·     Serves as a grant liaison with the Southwest Region All Hazard Advisory Council.

·     Serves as planning coordinator for the Region.