Positives within Your City

Ever since I was a little kid I dreamt of becoming a Police Officer. When I first came to Colorado, I was amazed by the mountains, the way of life and the kindness of its people. As life took its turn, I came to live in the town of Rifle; As years flew by I stayed local until it was my time to serve my country in the U.S Marine Corps. Now, as my Four-Year enlistment comes to an end, I would be honored to come back and serve and protect the property and lives of both citizens and guest of Rifle Colorado. 

Even before I left for my service, I knew, Rifle would be the town I would come back to and raise a family. Coming back to Rifle and seeing how fast it is growing and all the changes that come with a growing town, it is tough to see that drugs, theft and crime is also growing. Giving back to this community and having an impact on the positive changes will be a great satisfaction. Knowing that the community feels safe and protected when they see us patrolling the town and responding to their calls for assistance.

It would be an honor not only to be a part of this community, but also to be part of the great men and women that protect it. I am excited to have the opportunity to serve with helpful, knowledgeable and experienced officers; This will help me learn and grow as a person and as a police officer. Serving along with team oriented officers, that are doing everything in their hands to promote the peace, safety and the well-being of the Rifle community is what encourages me to be part of the Rifle Police Department. The Rifle Police Department offers many opportunities for me to continue to learn and progress professionally.

The experience I have gained while serving my country has given me the confidence I needed to become a police officer. It helped me to mature so much more and acquire skills such as; leadership, personnel management, decision making and critical thinking under stressful situations. I also possess an extensive knowledge of ground patrolling, security, surveillance, data collection, marksmanship and detainee handling. Skills that will help me better serve and protect the citizens of this city. While I was in the service I traveled to many countries and different parts of the United States. It was then that I saw that our presence makes people feel safe and protected.

Coming back to Rifle Colorado, I look forward to working for the Police Department, helping the men and women of this great department serve and protect this community. Knowing that the citizens of Rifle feel safe when they see us patrolling, assisting, interacting, and responding to their calls for assistance is a great satisfaction. Same satisfaction I had when I served and deployed with the U.S Marine Corps. I am excited to get a chance to work along the great man and women of this Department and have an impact on the positive change of this town.

The City Of Rifle has chosen its new Finance Director. Michelle Duran, who was serving as Interim Finance Director, has accepted the permanent position. Duran was hired as a Senior Accountant in January 2017 and took over as Interim Finance Director in October 2017 after the departure of Teresa Beecraft. 

With nearly 30 years as an accountant, Michelle brings a high level of experience to the City’s financial team. She has worked in a broad spectrum of accounting fields from working as an auditor for a Big 4 accounting firm to Oil and Gas Exploration and Development.

“I appreciate all the team members at the City who have supported me through my transition from interim to the permanent director!  I am optimistic that our cooperation will continue as we build on our success and work to provide transparency, teamwork, efficiency and great customer service to our internal customers and our citizens. ” Congratulations Michelle!

Media Contact: Kathy Pototsky 970-319-8288

If you recently received a ticket for not wearing your seatbelt, you are not alone.  73 people were given citations in Rifle during the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) “Click It or Ticket” campaign which ran from March 26^th to April 1^st. 

 The campaign is designed to increase awareness of the dangers of not buckling up. According to CDOT, 182 people who weren’t buckled up were killed in traffic accidents in 2016. Nearly half would have survived if they had simply worn their seatbelts.

“Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to prevent serious injuries and save people from dying in motor vehicle crashes,” according to the CDOT website. Colorado ranks significantly lower than the national average in seat belt use. Only 84% of Coloradans buckle up versus 90.1% nationally.

Rifle Police Chief Tommy Klein sees the importance of seat belt use which is why his department participated in the statewide program. And Rifle will likely join the “May Mobilization” of the Click It or Ticket campaign beginning next month. 

“Our goal is to motivate people to develop a habit. We’re not writing tickets just to write them,” stated Klein. “Please buckle up, if not for yourself, do it for your family.”

Make sure that you and your passengers are wearing seat belts. Colorado law requires all front seat passengers and all children under 16 years old to be properly restrained.

So save yourself the hassle of being pulled over and paying a fine. And maybe even save your own life. Wear your seatbelt.