In policing, the spotlight often shines on the uniformed officers patrolling the streets and responding to emergencies. However, behind the scenes at every successful policing agency is a dedicated team of professional staff who play a crucial role in ensuring operational efficiency and organizational effectiveness. Among these professionals, the chief of staff has a strategic role overseeing administrative functions and significantly shaping the agency’s culture and strategic direction.

For over a decade, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has been proactively increasing the roles of professional staff across the organization. This forward-thinking effort has proven successful, allowing troopers to focus on their core duties, such as patrolling the roads and responding to emergencies. In the past, the CSP, like many other policing agencies, filled new administrative tasks or specialty functions with troopers. However, this approach often led to troopers being pulled away from their primary duties to learn new skills to meet the ever-changing demands of a policing organization.

Thanks to the CSP’s early efforts to increase professional staff, the organization was better prepared than many when sworn staffing levels plummeted in 2020. Despite this challenge, the CSP remains steadfast in its commitment to meet the public’s increasing demands for transparency, community engagement, improved customer service, and timely response. This resilience is a testament to the importance the CSP places on professional staff in critical policing roles.

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