FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:  May 26, 2022                                     

Contact: Christine Duplan, Public Information Officer

(970) 423-8901

Christine.Duplan@summitcountyco.gov

SUMMIT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NEW SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AIMS AT BUILDING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

SUMMIT COUNTY, CO – The Summit County Sheriff’s Office welcomes Deputy Patrick Finley as the new School Resource Officer Technician for the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and Summit School District. Although Deputy Finley’s home school base will be Summit High School, he will also serve Snowy Peaks, Summit Middle School, Dillon Valley Elementary and Summit Cove Elementary.  

Deputy Finley’s law enforcement career spans 18 years. He was a Trooper for Colorado State Patrol, Corporal for the Highland Village Police Department in Texas, and Sergeant for the Breckenridge Police Department. His interest in working with students became apparent to him when he assisted teaching LETS (Law Enforcement Teaching Students) classes at middle schools in Texas. His passion in working with students then followed him to Breckenridge, where he completed training as a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer, and taught the program to 5th grade students at Upper Blue and Breckenridge Elementary schools. 

“Spending as much time as I can being visible and accessible in the classroom and community is important in building positive relationships with students, staff and parents. I want the students to know they can ask me anything and also ask for assistance. Creating trust, building bonds, and keeping everyone safe is top priority to me,” said Deputy Finley.

Deputy Finley wasted no time making the rounds, and during the first week in his new role, he met many staff members and students at all of the schools he serves. Since then, he has biked along neighborhood streets while escorting students on bike to school days, visited preschoolers at Dillon Valley Elementary, spent time with 5th graders answering questions and discussing how to have a safe summer, and enjoyed eating lunch with students at Summit High School. 

Now that summer vacation is just around the corner, Deputy Finley will be participating at Summit School District’s end of the year celebrations, along with the graduation of class of 2022 at Summit High School. He also plans to be involved with students during summertime activities throughout the county, and will be continuing his training as a School Resource Officer through both CASO (Colorado Association of School Resource Officers) and NASRO (National Association of School Resource Officers). 

“Over the years this has proven to be a critical program in both our school district and at the Sheriff’s Office, but the program experienced an unfortunate setback during the onset of COVID-19. It’s wonderful to see it back up and running fueled by the passion of Deputy Patrick Finley”, said Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons. 

COME JOIN OUR TEAM! The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is currently recruiting a second School Resource Officer for Summit Middle School. Job description, salary information and application can be found at www.summitcountyco.gov/SOJobs#sro. 

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