Facing a Montezuma County Sheriff’s investigation since February, deputy Lyle Bayles resigned late last week.
Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin released a two-sentence statement on Sunday stating that Bayles resigned on Friday, May 8. He offered no other details and was unavailable for comment before press deadline on Monday, May 11.
In March, Nowlin confirmed that his office was investigating Bayles’ credentials. Deputies in Colorado must be certified by the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training.
Colorado POST officials also were unavailable for comment on Monday morning.
Former Sheriff Dennis Spruell hired Bayles after he resigned as chief of police in Blanding, Utah, in July. Bayles’ resignation letter in Blanding cited a desire to spend more time with his family.
Earlier this year, Utah POST director Scott Stephenson confirmed that Bayles was being investigated after resigning as police chief, but the investigation ended after he relinquished his Utah POST certification. Stephenson declined to comment about accusations leading to the investigation.
Hired in August 2008 as police chief in Blanding, Bayles earned $98,500 annually. His law enforcement career spans almost three decades.
Bayles’ resignation in Blanding came nearly four months after two of his officers resigned.
