This morning, Sheriff Joe Roybal, and members of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office Command Staff welcomed the 43 deputy recruits, Class 23-4, to their first day of training at the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy.
“Today, you join our family, and we welcome you,” stated Sheriff Joe Roybal during his opening remarks. “ . . . . We have high expectations of our recruits because we have high expectations of the product we deliver to our community. I made a promise when I became your Sheriff that our Office would become fully staffed in the deputy ranks by the end of my first year. Today, with Class 23-4, we have reached this goal.”
Upon taking Office in January, Sheriff Roybal announced the highly anticipated return of POST Certification Academies for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Class 23-4 is the largest in size (to date) for the Roybal administration and includes recruits from Teller County, Fremont County, and the City of Fountain.
“I am excited to be collaborating with our partners across the state in law enforcement,” said Sheriff Joe Roybal. “With our Regional Training Academy, we are bringing together men and women who will undoubtedly work together in the future, keeping our community safe, as they begin their careers. Thank you to Sheriff Mikesell, Sheriff Cooper, and Chief Cristiani, for entrusting me and my staff to train and prepare your recruits for the duties and responsibilities they will face.”
Seven of the recruits are non-certified deputies, who have served the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in the Detention Bureau, previously.
“I am grateful for the established, high-quality training and certification program the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office offers,” said Fountain Police Chief Mark Cristiani. “It is an asset for our agency and for law enforcement agencies across the Pikes Peak region.”
“I want to personally thank Sheriff Roybal for implementing a regional approach for training and POST certification for our law enforcement agencies in Southern Colorado,” stated Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper. “Without this program, it would be very difficult for my office to get our deputies certified. It is critical that we work together to produce highly trained, highly qualified deputies to protect the rights of individuals living and working in our communities.”
“It is extremely important and beneficial for deputy recruits from across our region to train and work together at the early stages of their careers,” said Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell. “Our partnership with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy has consistently produced deputies of the highest caliber possible upon their graduation. I commend Sheriff Roybal for his dedication and vision towards this important mission and look forward to strengthening the collaboration our Offices hold.”
The 43 members of Class 23-4 have diverse, culturally, and experience-rich backgrounds, including service to our nation in various military branches, a career with the Department of Homeland Security, serving as a County Security Officer in El Paso County, working in both the Teller and Fremont County Jails, and more.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office will begin taking applications for the next POST Certified Academy (24-1) on October 18, 2023. If you are interested in beginning a career in law enforcement, contact our recruiting team at (719) 520-7147 or [email protected].
You may also find more information about joining our EPSO family by visiting JoinEPSO.com.
If you represent a law enforcement agency in Colorado and are interested in reserving space for your recruits to attend one of our upcoming academies or would like to learn more about our Regional Training Academy, contact our recruiting team at (719) 520-7147 or [email protected].
