Today marks two years since Sheriff Roybal stood before the citizens of El Paso County and swore to protect and serve our community as the duly elected 29th Sheriff of El Paso County.
In 2024, Sheriff Roybal led the Office by proactively supporting anti-crime legislation, increasing community outreach, leading several flagship programs to address mental health and substance abuse for those incarcerated at the El Paso County Jail, and hosting multiple regional training courses for law enforcement partners nationwide.
“It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as the Sheriff of El Paso County for the past two years,” said Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “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. I am grateful for the community's continuous support and the commitment of the nearly 900 professional and sworn employees at the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to fulfill our mission of public safety and community service.
“I will continue to lead our Office into the future with the excitement of new opportunities while remaining vigilantly focused on the needs and concerns of the citizens we serve. El Paso County is my home, and I will do everything I can to ensure it remains the best place for families, business owners, veterans, and citizens to thrive.”
In 2024, Sheriff Roybal’s Administration:
- Announced the El Paso Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit would operate full-time out of the Norris-Penrose equestrian facilities under a historic partnership with the Norris-Penrose Event Center. The El Paso County Mounted Unit is the sole unit in the Pikes Peak region.
-Engaged (heavily) in the legislative process, attended shareholder meetings, gave testimony in favor or against bills, or assisted with drafting or modifying several bills at the Colorado legislature.
-Increased deputies assigned to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit, ensuring the enforcement of Colorado traffic laws and keeping drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe across El Paso County.
-Trained and graduated 89 new El Paso County Regional Training Academy deputies. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office celebrated three graduating classes in 2024, which included additional attendees from the Teller, Fremont, and Costilla County Sheriff’s Offices, Fairplay and Fountain Police Departments, and Colorado State Parole.
-Attended over 300 events. These events included the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Latino Luncheon, National Night Out, Shop-with-a-Cop, The Western Street Breakfast, the El Paso County Fair, Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, Smith Farm’s Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival, Special Olympics Tip-a-Cop and Polar Plunge, Vitalant Blood Drives, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, National Police Week, and more.
-In July, Sheriff Joseph Roybal and Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell cross-deputized their Patrol and Investigations Divisions during an El Paso/ Teller County line ceremony. This decision allows deputies from either agency to respond to calls for service near jurisdictional boundaries and investigate crimes in El Paso and Teller County when the crimes involved move across county lines. Specific areas of interest include Gold Camp Road, Rampart Range, Old Stage Road, and the Pikes Peak Highway.
-Announced a new contract with healthcare provider VitalCore Health Strategies to serve the incarcerated citizens at the El Paso County Jail. The contract is multi-faceted, touching on many aspects of inmate care. Upon implementation, VitalCore intentionally partnered with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Jail Based Behavioral Services (JBBS) to provide continuity of information and expand services which better address the needs of our incarcerated citizens.
-Announced the approval of over $15 million in financing for a substation near Falcon in unincorporated El Paso County. The substation is set to break down in early 2025 and will serve the ever-growing population of eastern El Paso County.
- Completed multiple construction projects to enhance office accessibility, including remodeling the Office of the Sheriff’s lobby and Community Room. These areas serve community groups and members of the public seeking services at our office.
-Implemented a flagship program to treat vulnerable populations who are incarcerated in our jail and offer vaccinations and treatment for Sexually transmitted Infections and other communicable diseases.
To view Sheriff Roybal’s Strategic Plan and Variance Report, click here.