The Morrison Police Department is set to disband, as confirmed by a spokesperson who spoke with FOX31. In a recent town board meeting, it was decided as part of the adoption of the town's 2025 budget to reduce the police department. As reported by KDVR, "Due to various financial concerns, the adopted budget results in a reduction in the Town’s Police Department." Town officials expect the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to take over policing duties starting January 2025.
The decision to disband follows an incident last month where Police Chief Bill Vinelli was placed on administrative leave for reasons not disclosed to the public. With this shift, Morrison follows a precedent set by Nederland, a town that dissolved its police force two years ago and now utilizes the services of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, according to CBS News.
Underlining the immediacy of this transition, the town is "working expeditiously to ensure a smooth transition," a news release from the Town of Morrison stated. Although the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office won't be absorbing current Morrison Police Department employees directly, they will have the opportunity to apply for new job openings. This was clarified by a town spokesperson and reported by 9NEWS.
The suspension of Chief Vinelli last month came after the hire of Officer Richard Norton, previously recommended for termination at another department. However, the town manager made it clear that the investigation into Vinelli was not related to his decision to hire Norton. Despite a modest population of 388 people as of 2023, as mentioned by 9NEWS, the town of Morrison is making significant changes to its law enforcement approach with an eye toward financial sustainability and operational practicality.
