Mancos now has two deputy marshals to keep order in town.
Sean Kiley, hired about a month ago, is from Katy, Texas, a small town east of Houston. He has been in law enforcement for almost 17 years.
I think the reason most people get into law enforcement is because they want to help people, Kiley said. He is no different. Having worked in a large city, he liked working in the narcotics division. I just like the idea of getting the drugs off the streets, he said. He also worked patrol, a job where police and law enforcement officers experience all kinds of things.
Its really diverse, said Kiley, of street patrol. You see lots of different cases, he said, and it takes a lot of people skills to be a good patrol officer.
John Cox, who has been here just a couple weeks, comes from Fisher, Indiana, and has been in law enforcement for 25 years. He knew Bill Knauer, the marshal, when he was there, and is now working with him again.
I really like uniform patrol, said Cox. You really get to interact with a lot of people during it and I like that. He also did a lot of administrative work while he was in Fisher. I had a great time doing that, he said.
Both men agree that the laws in Colorado are different from the ones they were familiar with in the states where they worked before. Theyre named differently as well, said Kiley. But, it didnt take them long to learn what they are and how they are applied.
Kiley has had a few adjustments to make besides the laws, he said. I love that this is such a small town, he said. He has an 11-year-old daughter who will be going to Mancos school this year and, he said, it hasnt been hard for her to make friends even before school started. He likes that everyone is so friendly and that being a law enforcement officer is a good thing for most people hes encountered.
Cox is big into traffic enforcement, he said. You can really make a difference in that area, he said. Its all about safety and making sure that everyone is safe as they drive.
The two deputies, along with Knauer, can just about cover Mancos around the clock. And since its a small town, Cox said, they can put more quality time into what they do. They do a lot of driving around town, making sure things are all right.
Since police work is largely about working with people, both deputies are well suited for the job. I think thats the reason Bill brought us both here, said Cox. We are both good with people and love what we do. Kiley agreed.
So if you happen to see any of the law enforcement team around Mancos, dont hesitate to give them a wave and a hello. Youll find that youll probably get a wave in return!
The marshal and his deputies are having a casual meet and greet for anyone who wants to meet them, ask them questions or voice concerns. It will be on Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at town hall.