The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office has assumed full responsibility for law enforcement services in the city of Ouray after City Administrator Michelle Metteer reassigned the police department’s two remaining officers to administrative duties.
Sheriff Justin Perry confirmed to the Plaindealer today that the sheriff’s office took over all patrol duties in the city last week. Prior to that, the sheriff’s office was assisting with city police services based on an intergovernmental agreement the city and county renewed on Dec. 18.
“This does impact us because we have assumed all law enforcement responsibility for the city, and that’s a big ask,” Perry said.
He said Metteer approached Undersheriff Tammy Stroup last week and asked if the sheriff’s office could assume control of policing duties within city limits.
It’s unclear what prompted Metteer’s request. The Plaindealer left messages with her and Sgt. Matt Troxell, seeking more information.
Perry said to account for the increase in responsibilities, he created and immediately implemented two districts in the county. The deputy who covers the north district is responsible for patrolling the area from Ridgway north to the Montrose County line, while the deputy covering the south district is responsible for the area from Ridgway south to the San Juan County line.
Perry said the south district deputy will patrol the city limits while also maintaining responsibility for patrolling in the unincorporated areas of the county.
The change comes as another officer prepares to leave the department. Officer Angel Dominguez, who joined the department last year, has submitted his letter of resignation. His last day on the job will be Feb. 6.
His departure follows that of Officer Bryce Phillips, whose last day on the job was Jan. 29. Their departures leave Sgt. Matt Troxell as the only sworn officer in the department.
The Ouray City Council will discuss where things stand with rebuilding the Ouray Police Department during a council meeting tonight.
City officials say they plan to talk about police officer training, department funding, temporary patrol coverage and long-term planning.
The police department discussion is scheduled near the end of the meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at the community center, 320 Sixth Ave. The meeting will also be streamed online through this link.
The department is once again in a state of flux after Metteer declined to hire Interim Police Chief Daric Harvey for the full-time job last month over a dispute regarding how much personal information Metteer was seeking as part of Harvey’s background check. Phillips’ and Dominguez’s resignations followed.
During a work session two weeks ago, city residents made it clear they prefer to maintain an independent police department and not contract long-term with the sheriff’s office for police services. Perry said during that meeting the only way the sheriff’s office could take over law enforcement duties in the city would be to institute 24-hour coverage.
