Green Mountain Falls marshal warns of new reporting requirements for law enforcement - Colorado Springs Gazette
Green Mountain Falls Marshal Virgil Hodges issued a warning last month about legislation that will add time and cost to every law enforcement agency in Colorado.
Hodges, who is retiring in April, cautioned Mayor Jane Newberry and the town board of trustees to be aware of new reporting requirements to take effect in July 2023.
“Colorado Senate Bill 20-217 passed in 2020, has put a burden on law enforcement statewide. Reporting on the bill is pretty intense,” Hodges said at the town board meeting Feb. 15. “Fortunately, I won’t be here to have to do it but my successor will.”
A summary of the Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity bill states that a peace officer shall wear and activate a body-worn camera when responding to a call for service or during any interaction with the public initiated by the peace officer when enforcing the law or investigating possible violations of the law. The act requires all recordings of an incident be released to the public within 21 days after the local law enforcement agency or Colorado state patrol receives a complaint of misconduct.
Hodges suggested that the board consider hiring a full- or part-time employee in the marshal’s office to handle the reporting requirements.
Acknowledging that calls to the marshal’s office are not extensive, nonetheless, the reporting requirements are mandated by the state. “The marshal is still responsible for keeping the town in compliance,” he said. “I have addressed the town manager (Becky Frank) in a memo about some of the things coming out of that Senate bill that are going to be money-intense.”
For example, in January, every officer on the street will have to wear a body camera. “Body cameras are not a huge issue; I’ve worn them before and I love ‘em, personally,” Hodges said. “They keep more officers out of trouble when they get into trouble.”
The problem for the small town is in the details. “We have to come up with a mechanism where we can provide that information in digital format to courts, attorneys, whatever,” he said. “And, should there be an instance where the town gets sued, we have to keep those things, basically, forever. Because those lawsuits drag out for years and years and years.”
Along with the heads-up, Hodges urged the board to consider how to store the information recorded by video from the body cameras. “We end up having to keep things because of world events that don’t affect Green Mountain Falls,” he said.
As the chief cop, Hodges said he has tried to provide realistic law enforcement that fits the town. “Thank goodness, we haven’t had any of the incidents that have gone on nationwide,” he said.
Hodges spoke that evening via a conference call with the town. After the warning, the marshal expressed gratitude to the town for the opportunity to serve.
After 45 years of law enforcement to include service as a military police officer, Hodges said he began his civilian career as a deputy marshal in another small town.
“And I cannot think of a better way to end my career,” he said. “The board has been tremendously supportive of me and my office.”
Hodges recalled his answer when asked in his interview why the town should hire him. “Because you need me, or somebody like me,” Hodges said. “I hope and pray that I have lived up to that expectation and promise I made to you five years ago. I’m nervous about retiring, but I’m also excited.”
Among the things Hodges is excited about, he said, is fishing.
Newberry responded. “I was scared and leery about hiring a new marshal, but I knew we need a marshal and you have more than fulfilled what we wanted. You have been a shining example of how good community policing can be,” she said. “I can’t say enough about how much we appreciate you and your professionalism and taking a chance on Green Mountain Falls.”
source: https://gazette.com/pikespeakcourier/green-mountain-falls-marshal-warns-of-new-reporting-requirements-for-law-enforcement/article_6672ab2c-95ee-11ec-9092-bb8fd8a540d6.html
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