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Carbondale police chief urges patience on SPEAR changes but says local participation should continue while MOU is revised
Summary
The police chief told trustees the department has not seen evidence that the regional SPEAR task force engaged in immigration enforcement, but acknowledged one operational decision caused concern; the chief recommended staying engaged while SPEAR revises its MOU and policies.
Carbondale’s police chief briefed trustees on the department’s participation in the regional SPEAR investigative task force and recommended remaining at the table while SPEAR completes promised policy and MOU revisions.
The chief said the department joined SPEAR to gain investigative resources and training for crimes that exceed small‑town capacities. "I have not seen to date, I have not seen evidence that SPEAR engaged in immigration enforcement," the chief said, while also acknowledging that "one operational decision created confusion and concern" among community members.
The chief described steps SPEAR leadership has agreed to take: public clarifications, an updated memorandum of understanding that explicitly states compliance with Colorado law and a policies‑and‑procedures manual for task‑force officers. Trustees pressed for clarity in the MOU (what constitutes criminal activity for joint investigations, how information is shared and whether federal immigration enforcement is excluded) and asked the chief to return with the revised documents.
Several trustees said they preferred keeping the town represented in SPEAR while changes are negotiated so the town can influence the process. The chief said he will monitor developments closely, participate in drafting the updated MOU and policies, and report back to the board; he also pledged to withdraw the department if forthcoming changes are insufficient.
Next steps: the chief will work with SPEAR leadership on a policies manual and a clarified MOU, report progress to trustees and bring concerns back to the board if the task force’s direction does not match local expectations.
