Thursday, El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal administered the oath of office to 35 POST Certified El Paso County Deputy Recruits, four Teller County Sheriff’s Office Recruits, and two Fremont County Sheriff’s Office Recruits, during the Class 23-4 Graduation Ceremony at The Road at Chapel Hills Church in Colorado Springs.
The 41 upstanding new deputies are the third class to graduate from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Training Academy with a 24-week POST certification since Sheriff Roybal announced the return of the POST certification requirement since taking office in January 2023.
“We are extremely excited to welcome today’s graduating recruits to our El Paso County Sheriff’s Office family,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “Our Regional Training Academy offers first-class training, and we open our doors state-wide to all law enforcement agencies in Colorado. Today’s 41 graduates have chosen the noble path of sacrifice and responsibility, and for this, I commend them. I thank both Sheriff Mikesell, and Sheriff Cooper, for entrusting my Office with the task of preparing and training their future deputies. The spirit of collaborative, consistent training is strong between us, and we are all better for it.”
“I am thankful for the strong partnership my Office holds with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office,” said Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell. “There is no doubt my participating recruits have received top-notch training over the past 24 weeks and developed career-long bonds with members of other agencies in the Pikes Peak region. I applaud Sheriff Roybal for his vision and diligence, creating a regional training academy, and look forward to continuing this inter-agency tradition in the future.”
“Thank you, Sheriff Roybal, for opening your doors and allowing a rural agency, such as the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office to send our recruits to this state-of-the-art academy, free of charge,” said Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper. “It is important for members of law enforcement to begin their careers with confidence, ready to work in our jails or patrol our streets, and this program gives them the knowledge and skill set they need. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and partnership with EPSO, as we continue to expand and improve our ability to serve and protect our community.”
The next Regional Training Academy POST certified class will graduate in Summer 2024, with multiple state-wide law enforcement agencies represented.
To learn more about starting a career with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, go to: www.joinepso.com.
