Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin has faced a few hurdles in his first 45 days in office.<\/p>\n
The most recent is whether a patrol deputy hired during the previous administration is indeed certified. The officer in question, Lyle Bayles is currently employed with the office, said Nowlin.<\/p>\n
Bayles was hired at the Montezuma County Sheriff\u2019s Office after he unexpectedly resigned as chief of police in Blanding, Utah, last summer. His resignation letter to Blanding officials cited a desire to spend more time with his family.<\/p>\n
However, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) officials subsequently announced that it was investigating Bayles.<\/p>\n
Director of Utah POST Scott Stephenson said last week that the investigation was ended after Bayles relinquished his POST certification. Stephenson declined to comment about accusations leading to the investigation.<\/p>\n
For Nowlin, there\u2019s a question if Bayles is authorized to serve as an officer in Colorado.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe status of (Bayles\u2019) Colorado POST certification is under investigation,\u201d said Nowlin.<\/p>\n
Nowlin, who is collaborating with the new director at Colorado POST, said he didn\u2019t want to jump to conclusions.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs for the residents, I\u2019m working to do everything I can to make sure people are safe and protected,\u201d said Nowlin.<\/p>\n
Nowlin declined to speculate on why Bayles was initially hired by former Sheriff Dennis Spruell, and added that hiring practices at the sheriff\u2019s office were being \u201crevamped and changed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have interim policies and procedures in place,\u201d said Nowlin. \u201cI hope to have those formalized within the next 60 to 90 days.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spruell lost his bid for a second term as sheriff last year.<\/p>\n
Bayles, hired in August 2008 as police chief in Blanding, earned $98,500 annually. His law enforcement career spans almost three decades. His resignation in Blanding came nearly four months after two of his officers resigned.<\/p>\n