El Paso County Sheriff's Office marks a significant milestone today as Sheriff Joseph Roybal celebrates his second anniversary at the helm. During his tenure, Sheriff Roybal has initiated a range of programs aimed at public safety and community engagement, putting a clear stamp on his office's operations.
Under Sheriff Roybal's leadership, which began two years ago, his office has proactively backed anti-crime bills, ramped up community outreach, and implemented several key initiatives targeting mental health and substance abuse at the El Paso County Jail. Moreover, the office has also provided extensive training to law enforcement officers from across the country. "It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as the Sheriff of El Paso County for the past two years," Sheriff Roybal said, as obtained by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. "Since taking Office, I have worked to continuously improve and streamline the various ways we serve our community, keeping the public safe and holding criminals accountable."
In one of the more high-profile collaborations, the Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit now operates full-time out of the Norris-Penrose equestrian facilities, a singular arrangement in the Pikes Peak region. The push into legislative participation has also been noteworthy, with the office influencing the drafting and modification of several bills at the Colorado legislature. Sheriff's Office's Traffic Unit saw an increase in deputies, enhancing the enforcement of Colorado's traffic laws and, by extension, the safety of all road users in El Paso County.
Notably, Sheriff Roybal's office presided over the graduation of 89 new deputies in 2024, bolstering the ranks of trained law enforcement personnel. These graduates emerged from three separate classes and included officers from multiple other county sheriff's offices and police departments. Sheriff Roybal has made his presence felt within the community as well, attending over 300 events throughout the year. These gatherings reflect a diverse portfolio, ranging from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Latino Luncheon to the Special Olympics Tip-a-Cop and Polar Plunge.
In a significant inter-county measure, Sheriff Roybal and Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell cross-deputized their respective Patrol and Investigations Divisions to cohesively manage crime crossing county lines. Furthermore, the Sheriff's Administration also introduced a new healthcare contract through VitalCore Health Strategies, aimed at improving care for inmates within the county jail, particularly in partnership with the Jail Based Behavioral Services.
The El Paso Sheriff's Office is looking forward to the establishment of a new substation in Falcon, thanks to over $15 million in approved financing set to break down early this year. The substation is projected to better serve the burgeoning population in eastern El Paso County. Infrastructure enhancements also included remodeling the Office of the Sheriff's lobby and Community Room to improve public access to services.
