A look at House Bill 217 law enforcement

SAN LUIS VALLEY- Over the last several weeks, Rio Grande County Sheriff’s Department has been spending a considerable amount of time weeding through the massive House Bill 217 and how it will not only affect the department but how it will affect the public as well.


During an interview with the Del Norte Prospector Sheriff Don McDonald, Undersheriff Chris Crown and Rio Grande Victim Advocate Courtney Arthur all took turns explaining how the Police Accountability Bill has changed their professional and personal lives and how it will continue to change the lives of law enforcement and communities for years to come.


“First off, the accountability portion of this bill is not an issue. As a member of law enforcement, we all feel that there needs to be accountability for those who work in this profession but it is the way that they have written the bill that leaves us with little to no representation or protection. I just feel that the bill could have been written better and in a way that would serve a better purpose. I feel that this is a civil way to defund law enforcement,” said McDonald.


One portion of House Bill 217 that was passed earlier this year that prompts concern is the storage of data. Data collected through video and audio devices attached to law enforcement officials will be an unprecedented amount and according to McDonald, even the district attorney responsible for the storage of the data has no idea how it will be done.


“We started collecting audio in September. My officers and other law enforcement officials including the jail have started recording data. We have until 2023 to have everything else in place and we are fortunate the State of Colorado gave us that long. Other states like Mew Mexico were given 90 days to be ready.”


Undersheriff Crown stated that Rio Grande County Sheriff deputies all have to begin recording as soon as a call comes in. “It starts with dispatch. The minute a call comes in, everything is being recorded. It has changed the way people respond to us and in some cases how we respond to situations and people. Even if I have a conversation with a member of the community, just a regular everyday chat, if it pertains to a case or anything law enforcement related that recorder has to be on.”


Victim Advocate Arthur has had some issues with the bill as well. “My main concern is that my job depends, seriously depends on victim’s trust of me and my department. Once they know they are being recorded? That trust immediately changes. No one would want to talk about the violent rape they just went through knowing that at some point some of their information will be made public.”


Not only does the bill present fiscal impacts on rural departments like Rio Grande County but according to the department’s officials it is creating community trust issues as well. “We are adapting and doing the best we can with what we have. We have found cameras that will be purchased in coming months and will be moving forward like we always do but this is a huge change to how law enforcement will be moving forward from here,” finished McDonald.