Walsenburg Set to Rehire Former Police Chief Amid Controversy
After a lengthy eight-year absence of a police force, Walsenburg, Colorado, is on the verge of appointing former Morrison Police Chief Bill Vinelli as its new top law enforcement officer. Despite facing scrutiny and being placed on leave last November due to management concerns at Morrison, Walsenburg Town Administrator Joe Stillwell insists that Vinelli emerged as the strongest candidate from a pool of three. “We conducted extensive background checks and vetted him thoroughly," Stillwell remarked, dismissing any allegations of criminal behavior against Vinelli as “unfounded.”
The Walsenburg City Council is scheduled to vote on approving Vinelli’s appointment in a session scheduled for Tuesday night. The town of approximately 3,000 residents has relied on Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement since disbanding its police department in 2016. Sheriff Bruce Newman previously warned that his agency would cease patrolling Walsenburg by January 1, 2025, but has since agreed to provide interim assistance until a new police chief assembles a department, which will require about six officers.
The recent turmoil in Walsenburg extends beyond police matters. Stillwell, who was appointed less than a month ago, has raised concerns about financial anomalies he discovered while reviewing town accounts, prompting the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to launch an investigation. Meanwhile, the city accountant and treasurer have been placed on paid leave as a forensic review of billing irregularities is conducted.
Stillwell, emphasizing his outsider status in local politics, aims to restore public confidence in governance. “I’ve got no ties with anyone,” he stated, adding that the town’s focus should remain on effective law enforcement and community well-being. In the interim, patrol responsibilities in Morrison have shifted to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.