RBC I The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office has experienced several changes since the first of the year.
Anthony Mazzola was sworn into the office of Rio Blanco County sheriff a month and a half ago, and he has faced several challenges from the beginning.
Mazzola worked to reduce the 2015 budget by more than $550,000 compared to the 2014 budget. Accomplished primarily through employee attrition and several line item reductions, the reduced 2015 budget reflects fewer calls for service experienced by dispatch and provides 24-hour coverage for Rangely and Meeker. Twenty-four-hour coverage has not recently been provided to the citizens of Rio Blanco County.
Concerning employee attrition, four full-time employee positions and one seasonal patrol position were eliminated in Meeker. One jailer retired and that position was not filled; the office manager retired and that position with filled with an existing dispatch employee, Erin Musser, whose vacant dispatch position will not be filled; a previously budgeted unfilled deputy position was eliminated; and Emergency Manager Ty Gates now reports directly to the Board of County Commissioners.
The RBCSO was short two patrol staff in Rangely, resulting in deputies working many overtime hours.
Deputy Devon Smith was working in the jail and has gone through Peace Officer Standards Training (POST), so he transferred from detentions to patrol, filling one open position.
The sergeant’s position was the second vacancy. Deputy Jarrod Lang was promoted to fill this position. Jeremy Muxlow was hired to fill the remaining patrol position. Muxlow, a seven-year veteran of police work, has worked for the Meeker and Rifle police departments.
Recently, long-time deputy Frank England informed Rio Blanco County that he is retiring. His position has been posted, and the new deputy filling his position will be required to reside in Rangely. Following suit, future positions serving Rangely will require that employee to reside in Rangely.
The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office continues to serve the citizens of Rio Blanco County, focusing on the mission “to safeguard the lives and property of the people of Rio Blanco, while working in partnership with our citizens to improve their quality of life. Our commitment is to do so with Integrity, Honor and Respect with an attitude of Service to maintain public confidence.”
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If questions or concerns arise, please contact the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office at 970-878-9620.
