Morrison Decides to Close Local Police Dept, Cites Economic Benefits

 December 8, 2024

Morrison, a quaint town famed for its Red Rocks Amphitheatre, is undergoing a significant change.

According to the Denver Post, due to fiscal restraints, Morrison will deactivate its police department from January 1, transitioning law enforcement duties to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

This cost-cutting measure emerges in conjunction with the passing of the town's 2025 budget. According to Town Manager Mallory Nassau, this decision is poised to save Morrison over $1 million every year. The budget, sanctioned by town leaders, showcases a shift in strategy aimed at financial sustainability.

Town Adjusts to New Law Enforcement Structure

The existing Morrison Police Department, which currently includes 9 full-time and 8 part-time officers, is slated for dissolution at the end of this month. A substantial factor in this resolution has been last year's substantial $1.7 million expenditure on the local police, a substantial burden for a town of only 400 residents.

As part of the transition, the officers affected by the closure are encouraged, though not guaranteed, reemployment with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Mark Techmeyer, the director of public affairs for the Sheriff’s Office, expressed, “We will not be absorbing any of Morrison's officers,” but noted they are welcome to apply for deputy positions.

Town Manager Mallory Nassau elaborated on the empathy required during this transition by sharing, “It’s a difficult thing for them — it’s difficult news.” To aid the transition, Morrison officials have allocated a $300,000 severance fund for those impacted.

Journey Through Transition: A Town's Approach

Rounding out the logistics, the Jefferson County deputies, who have been covering overnight shifts in Morrison for several years, will operate from the nearest substation located in Ken Caryl. “Geographically speaking, the south substation is the closest one,” stated Mark Techmeyer, ensuring that response times and logistics align efficiently with town needs.

Town Manager Mallory Nassau underlined the temporary nature of the current plan:

“It will likely be a one-year contract that we will then review.” She hinted at ongoing assessments to ensure this new partnership meets the community’s expectations and safety requirements.

Previously, Morrison had experienced heightened attention with an incident involving the administrative leave of Police Chief Bill Vinelli under an unspecified investigation. However, this event was claimed not to affect the decision to dissolve the department.

Community's Future Law Enforcement

Similar to other small towns such as Nederland and Centennial, which also rely on county sheriff's offices for law enforcement services, Morrison’s choice reflects a growing trend among smaller communities aiming to manage budgets more effectively.

The projected financial relief of changing to a county-managed service presents a potential saving of $1.1 million annually, considering the contract with Jefferson County is not expected to exceed $600,000 per year.

A special town board of trustees meeting is on the horizon next week to finalize and clarify the specifics of this contractual agreement with Jefferson County. This session will likely address community concerns and operational requirements to ensure smooth collaboration between Morrison and the sheriff's office.

In summarizing Morrison's shift in law enforcement, residents face a year of adaptation and reassessment. The community holds onto hope and anticipation that these changes will usher in not just savings, but continued peace and safety under the new agreement. As this scenario unfolds, Morrison takes careful steps towards a new chapter, balancing fiscal prudence with the necessity of maintaining public safety.

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