Officer resignations cost taxpayers’ money

It costs a pretty penny if an officer chooses to resign from the Pueblo Police Department.

Police said after training and salary, more than $50,000 is invested into an officer during and after the academy.

“We do sink in a lot of resources into the preparations, the testing and the academy,” Deputy Chief Troy Davenport said.

Four officers, who recently graduated from the police academy, have resigned since December.

Davenport said that is partly because of the dangers of the job.

“What we’re hearing is that the job wasn’t what they anticipated. It certainly is overwhelming. It is a tough atmosphere,” he said.

The resignations come as the number of officers remains at a 40-year low and crime rates are high.

“It is a difficult time. There are tragedies across the nation and sometimes, I think families are put at a state of unease,” Davenport said.

Despite the challenges, the department said it had more than 200 people interested in being a police officer. Davenport said that is most he has seen in several decades.

Candidates will then be chosen to take a test. Candidates will then go through a medical and drug test, along with a background check. The top candidates will then be chosen to go to the academy.

Capt. Charlie Taylor said 12 recruits are currently in the academy, but the next academy could have 16 recruits, which would be one of the largest academies in the department’s history.

Phillip Vigil, who is going through the academy right now, said he has always wanted to be an officer and said he is aware of the public safety problems in Pueblo but that doesn’t deter him.

“I know Pueblo has a high crime area. It’s a risk area so I assume the risk,” he said.

Police said if an officer quits and joins another law enforcement department within three years of graduating the academy ,that officer owes $10,000 to the Pueblo Police Department.