A billboard in Denver has been put up by the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office in Wyoming, aiming to recruit deputies by comparing the law enforcement environment in Colorado and Wyoming. Sheriff Brian Kozak paid $2,500 for this billboard during National Police Week, targeting Denver due to the perceived liberal politics dictating law enforcement policies. The billboard highlighted the differences in funding for law enforcement between the two states, with Denver facing accusations of defunding the police while Wyoming is portrayed as supportive of law enforcement efforts.
The marketing campaign launched by the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office has already shown results, with 40 new applications and 20-40 contact requests received daily since the billboard was put up. The sheriff’s office has emphasized the community support that deputies receive in Wyoming, allowing them to perform their job effectively without restrictions. Kozak expressed satisfaction with the response from law enforcement officers in Denver, noting that the campaign has been successful in attracting new hires to the county. He highlighted the difference in work environment, encouraging frustrated officers to consider relocating to Wyoming.
The statement about Denver defunding the police has been contested by city officials, claiming that the adjustments made to the police budget were done in collaboration with safety leaders and Mayor Johnston to ensure public services were not impacted. Denver has plans to invest in public safety by adding new police recruits to the force, contrary to the perception of defunding. Despite this clarification, the campaign has received mixed reactions, with some supporting the billboard as a proactive move by the sheriff’s office to attract law enforcement officers from Denver to Wyoming.
The community response to the billboard has been positive, with some residents expressing gratitude for having a proactive sheriff who is willing to address concerns regarding law enforcement funding and support. Additionally, individuals in Denver have shown interest in funding the billboard, reflecting a shared dissatisfaction with the political direction of the city and its impact on law enforcement policies. Overall, the campaign has sparked conversation around the differences in law enforcement environments between Colorado and Wyoming, with the hope of attracting more deputies to Wyoming to fill vacancies and enhance the law enforcement workforce in Laramie County.
