After eight years with no police force, the Colorado town of Walsenburg is in the final stages of hiring embattled former Morrison Police Chief Bill Vinelli as its top law enforcement officer.
Vinelli was placed on leave in November from the town of Morrison and was under investigation by its administration over concerns regarding his management of the police force, Morrison Mayor Chris Wolfe told the Denver Gazette last month.
But Walsenburg Town Administrator Joe Stillwell, who would be in charge of hiring Vinelli with City Council approval, said Vinelli was the best of three candidates they interviewed. “We did extensive background checks and vetted him thoroughly,” Stillwell said. He added that any rumors of criminal activity regarding Vinelli are “unfounded.”
Vinelli is listed by the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training as certified but not currently employed.
Walsenburg City Council is expected to make a motion to approve the position of chief of police Tuesday night. It’s police department has been dissolved since 2016. In its place, the Huerfano County Sheriffs have patrolled the town of 3,000.