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Elizabeth picks interim police chief

Jeff Engel will lead department during search

Jeff Engel, right, is sworn in as a Douglas County sheriff's deputy by Undersheriff Dave Walcher in this June 2022 photo from the department's Facebook page. Engel was returning to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office after serving as the police chief in Berlin, Wisconsin. Engel has now been chosen as the interim police chief for Elizabeth.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE

Posted Wednesday, January 25, 2023 5:52 pm

Chancy J. Gatlin-Anderson
Special to Colorado Community Media

Jeff Engel, a Douglas County sheriff's deputy with a lengthy background in law enforcement, has been named interim police chief of Elizabeth, with the opportunity to apply for the permanent position.

The town announced its choice on Jan. 25 and said Engel would start in the role on Jan. 30. Engel was chosen for the top spot nearly two months after the sudden resignation of former chief Melvin Berghahn, who stepped down on Dec. 1.

“The town is excited to have the interim position filled,” said Elizabeth Town Administrator Patrick Davidson. “Jeff comes to the town with an extensive career in law enforcement. His initial role will be to assist in the day-to-day operations of the police department, but also to help train and expand the knowledge of our officers.”

Davidson said the town is proceeding with a formal search to fill the permanent position, and has retained KRW Associates LLC to assist in the search. KRW has a long history of police chief placements in Colorado and surrounding states.

Engel will have the opportunity to apply for the permanent position when the recruiting process opens. The town expects to have the permanent position filled before June.

“Jeff has over 33 years of experience in law enforcement and has been employed by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office for over 15 years,” the town announcement said. “During his career in law enforcement, Jeff has held the positions of police officer, deputy sheriff, sergeant, lieutenant and chief of police.”

The announcement said Engel received a bachelor's degree in criminal science from the University of Wisconsin, a master's degree in public administration from Concordia University, a Certified Professional Public Manager's Certificate from the University of Colorado-Denver, and is a graduate of the FBI Command College.

Keywords

Elizabeth, Jeff Engel, police, Elbert County, Colorado

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Elizabeth picks interim police chief

Jeff Engel will lead department during search

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