Law enforcement contract begins

To mark the transition between the dissolution of the Sundance Police Department and the beginning of a contract with the Crook County Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement coverage for the city, Sheriff Jeff Hodge attended last week’s council meeting flanked by numerous members of his department.

The council announced in September that, with Police Chief Marty Noonan intending to retire at the end of the year, it was looking into the idea of entering into a contract for law enforcement rather than trying to maintain its own police department. The suggestion was made in response to the bleak financial outlook for the state, which is expected to trickle down to the budgets of cities and counties.

Hodge introduced each deputy to the council individually at the beginning of the work session.

“The public ought to be fairly happy with the depth of experience there,” commented Mayor Paul Brooks after hearing each deputy’s service record. This, he added, is an advantage of the contract that was not mentioned during the public hearings.

Brooks once again thanked the sheriff and his deputies for their willingness to take on the contract.

“We’ve got a good partnership started,” he said.

Brooks and Hodge conversed about the budget problems at the state level that sparked the idea for the contract, which is expected to save the city around $75,000 per year. As the state’s budget cuts inevitably trickle down to towns and counties, said Hodge, it would not be surprising if the same model is considered in other parts of Wyoming, though he acknowledged that the retirement of two members of Sundance’s department created a unique opportunity.

Brooks agreed that one of the city’s regular distributions from the state is due soon and “they’re talking about reducing that already.” Those places that have not already taken steps to reduce their expenditures may soon be looking for ideas, he said.