The last several years I think city council and citizens at large have seen the performance of you officers and the things that you’ve brought to the community,” said Mayor John Graham during a swearing-in ceremony for members of the Manitou Springs Police Department. “You enforced the law, yes, and some of us have an idea of what that is based on TV, but when we go out on the streets and we see you, and we see you feeding a dog or helping a homeless person, or giving people directions, or whatever — just performing service, making the community safer it brings us that sense that really we are a community and you are a huge part of that. There is a an agreement between us, you are taking care of us, we’re asking you, we’re putting our trust in you and our confidence in you. You are individuals of very high caliber and our expectations are also very high, and you’ve stepped up to the plate and we’ve been honored to have the caliber of the professionalism that you’ve brought to the community. Be assured that on behalf of the City Council, city staff, and the community, we very much appreciate the work you do.”

By Heidi Beedle

Heidi Beedle is a former soldier, educator, activist, and animal welfare worker. They received a Bachelor’s in English from UCCS. They have worked as a freelance and staff writer for the Colorado Springs Independent covering LGBTQ issues, nuclear disasters, cattle mutilations, and social movements. Heidi currently covers reproductive justice and politics for the Colorado Times Recorder, as well as local government for the Pikes Peak Bulletin.

Support Local Journalism!

We’re a community-powered nonprofit organization and we can’t fulfill our mission without you. We need your voices, viewpoints, and financial support.