At the beginning of December, the Kremmling Police Department will finally be operating with a full department. Chief Jamie Lucas recently recruited two new police officers who will begin in the next few weeks. This will give the department four full-time officers, which includes the chief.
Instead of adding a fifth officer, that was approved by the board before Chief Lucas was hired, a new police technician position was created to creatively meet the needs of the department.
This police technician position will help fill the needs of the KPD and ensure officers have administerial support so they can do their patrol duties more effectively.
Chief Lucas was enthused to add Cindy Lawley into this position. With over 14 years of crime scene investigation on the front range, Lawley brings an array of experience that will aide in the recently rebranded police department.
Lawley’s duties are vast and can range from crime scene investigation and maintaining evidence to updating policy and making sure all paperwork is completed and in order.
Her primary duties as a crime scene investigator will ensure that crime in Kremmling is not treated lightly.
She admits old school techniques of collecting fingerprints and swabbing the scene for DNA are still some of the most effective ways of solving crime scenes.
Going forward, the KPD will be utilizing these methods in scenes ranging from car burglaries to more serious crime such as assault and homicides. Of course, Lawley hopes crimes are not committed, but if something arises, she willingly uses her forensic experience and bachelor’s in chemistry to process a crime scene.
“You may not see the huge crimes here, but there is always something going on. You never want to turn a blind eye. I will process a crime scene in the snow or rain. There are things I can do to help,” she says.
Prioritizing the victim, Lawley understands that no crime seems small if you are the one affected, and she understands the importance of proper evidence collection and storage.
In the past, Lawley rarely had the opportunity to see a case from start to finish. She would be called to work a scene and then her role was completed.
“In a forensic lab, you are used as a tool to assist officers,” she explains. Her focus is still on assisting officers but realizes her role could expand where she could see an investigation go from start to finish.
Chief Lucas explained even though every police officer will have a fingerprint kit in their car, Lawley’s experience would be invaluable to the new officers.
“We restructured positions and maximized what we do have. A good portion of our time was spent in the office. Cindy will relieve that by taking over the evidence room and help us with the leg work on investigations,” Chief Lucas explains.
Lawley recently located to Kremmling from the front range with her husband of 28 years, Sergeant Dave Lawley.
