The Last Stand
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Steamboat Springs — A Routt County Sheriff’s Office detention deputy was fired Monday for what officials said was violation of the department’s conduct policy.
Sheriff’s Office Investigator Ken Klinger said Tuesday that Mitchell Bachmann, 23, will not face criminal charges. However, Klinger said Bachmann violated several Sheriff’s Office policies during the Aug. 12 incident, in which Bachmann allegedly approached an 18-year-old woman at a Fort Collins convenience store, asked her personal questions and for directions to a nightclub, and then asked her to get into his vehicle. Bachmann was wearing a black polo T-shirt with the word “sheriff” on it at the time of the incident.
“Through the internal affairs investigation, we determined that while (Bachmann) was cleared of any criminal charge, the way he acted was inappropriate and in violation of our codes,” Klinger said. “What he did wasn’t illegal, but there were some real serious issues in judgment and the codes we live by.”
Bachmann doesn’t have a listed phone number and could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Bachmann was on paid administrative leave until Monday’s termination, Klinger said.
On Aug. 13, Bachmann contacted the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office after he saw Denver-area media coverage about the incident. At the time, Larimer County officials were considering Bachmann was impersonating a police officer. The Routt County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the incident after Bachmann called Larimer County officials.
Larimer County Sheriff James Alderden said Aug. 15 that the Fort Collins community has a heightened awareness of such situations because of several recent incidents involving law enforcement impersonators.
Klinger said Bachmann is a former Fort Collins resident who had worked at the Routt County Sheriff’s Office for less than three months. Bachmann was not working at the time of the incident, Klinger said.
All Sheriff’s Office employees are “discouraged” from wearing Sheriff’s Office uniforms or apparel when not on duty, Klinger said.
“When you put on a badge, whether you’re in detention or not, you’re in the public spotlight,” Klinger said. “We hold ourselves to higher standards than everyone else.”
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Community comments
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thecondoguy1 (anonymous)
August 28, 2007 at 8:56 a.m.
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how dumb is that? a grown man in a position of trust behaving like a college kid with no sense or manners………….
Matthew7_1_5 (anonymous)
August 28, 2007 at 9:39 a.m.
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Let us not begin to cast stones again. There were no charges filed. We do not know what was asked by the officer. We should, therefore, not succumb to gossip which is a sin against others. Let us look after our personal actions and not those of others unless we or others are hurt by them. If this officer did something improper, he must be accountable to himself in this case. These are frightening times, especially for co-eds. Regardless of this man's intent, she was wise to take care of herself and other co-eds on that campus.
dundalk (anonymous)
August 28, 2007 at 9:55 a.m.
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Bibleman:
Sounds like you are judging those who adventure in free speech dialogue.
Unless you are the risen messiah yourself, engaging sermonic thought rants is rather Martin Luther-like, don't you think?
Matthew Stoddard
August 28, 2007 at 10:23 a.m.
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No, dundalk; I think BibleMatt is correct on this. What the kid did was creepy and not very smooth, but he didn't break any law that we know of. Still, I'm sure it was extremely creepy for the young woman. The kid's lucky I'm not that girl's father, though.
What troubles me is that the kid was fired for…basically being a horn-dog. A creepy horn-dog, but as far as we know, he didn't bother the young woman again. What SO “policies” did he break, though? Probably better that he not be retained in the SO for an idiotic act like this.
dundalk (anonymous)
August 28, 2007 at 10:43 a.m.
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Kielbasa:
Indeed no laws appear to have been violated. Can't we question though, and hold to a certain extent, a laxed hiring process that did not catch this young man's questionable personality failures?
One might wish to call Wall and ask for a copy of the policies and procedures with regard to probationary periods, code of ethics, etc.
I don't have a problem with someone being terminated, if it is done legally, without vindictiveness an/or political gain. Given the fact that the current administrative body at the S.O. has its leader postless; It is reasonable to deduce that perhaps some guidelines might have overlooked with the deluge of recently hired deputies/jailors who were overlooked by the City when those candidates came looking for employment as a police officer.
Matthew7_1_5 (anonymous)
August 28, 2007 at 10:48 a.m.
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dundalk,
My name is Matthew. I have watched those who gossip. Free speech is allowed in all cases - “give to Caesar what is Caesar's.” I am concerned about condemning a person without knowing the facts. Was there something wrong with Martin Luther, head of the Lutheran church?
Do not engage in wrongful accusations is what I am talking about. Our community participants must rise to a higher standard than what has taken place over the last few months. I did not think my comment a rant. I spoke from that which a higher authority guides us. Gossip is free speech, but as believers in a higher Being, I reminded us of His view of gossip.
dundalk (anonymous)
August 28, 2007 at 11:59 a.m.
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A higher authority may guide “you” but isn't it presumptious for you to pontificate as whom is the pilot/master for “us”.
CoJustice (anonymous)
August 28, 2007 at 12:25 p.m.
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The police report is open records, particularly since it was not a sex crime, nor was she a minor child. The officer has a right to file a wrongful termination investigation. In which case his attorney can go to the Judge and request (by court order) the Internal Investigation Report prepared by Sheriffs department. Only then, after discovery of the Internal Investigation can we determine what violations of policies occurred. The officer may not want to pursue it.
Matthew Stoddard
August 28, 2007 at 12:34 p.m.
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Might not be able to do that very simply, COJustice, at least until we know what “policies” he broke. Wall seems to be the only one sure of his office's policies of late.
CoJustice (anonymous)
August 28, 2007 at 1:09 p.m.
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Interesting Matthew !, Since polices have been a recent public debate, they could be arguably open for interruption. If the officer did examine the possibility of a wrongful termination case, this could cost the County some $.
ElBorracho (anonymous)
August 28, 2007 at 1:53 p.m.
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CoJustice: I don't know the county's specific policy, but generally speaking, probationary employees like this guy can be fired for pretty much any reason. I think it would be pretty hard to win a wrongful termination suit, given the guy's probationary employment status.
CoJustice (anonymous)
August 28, 2007 at 2:36 p.m.
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In·ter·est·ing !, excellent point. I guess it’s a wait and see how the deputy wants to pursue this. If he wants another law enforcement job, he’s going to need to clear this up. He might just request the documentation through the courts for his records.
CoJustice (anonymous)
August 28, 2007 at 3:05 p.m.
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Officers should check out this site: http://longmontpolice.com/FOP_Legal_Upda…
This representative runs the State Program with lots of good legal contacts.
twostroketerror (anonymous)
August 29, 2007 at 7:26 a.m.
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Ah, the Pilots usual in-depth reporting! Was the officer wearing a sidearm, or just a T-shirt you can get at the thrift store? Was it his vehicle or an RCSO patrol car? In these two questions lies the difference between hitting on a co-ed and coersion, the abuse of power by a person in the public trust. The first one is creepy and the second one is criminal. And how is the church involved in this anywho? Well, I'm off to read some entrails…..
thecondoguy1 (anonymous)
August 29, 2007 at 9:22 a.m.
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great points all, but none the less possibly some very bad judgement displayed by this young man, if a fact he has no place in law enforcement…………
Matthew7_1_5 (anonymous)
August 29, 2007 at 10:35 p.m.
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dundalk, I get it, you don't answer to anyone higher. Do you answer to your conscience? Whatever your views, gossip is gossip. By denying any higher authority, it allows you to do as you please. That's called free will. You are free to gossip if you like. Free will was given to you even if you misuse it.
twostroketerror (anonymous)
August 30, 2007 at 7:52 a.m.
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Dear lord, save me from your followers…..
dundalk (anonymous)
August 30, 2007 at 11:42 a.m.
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Matthew: Lord save me from people like you who place themselves above all, wave the Holy Bible and then rub their full bellies with their arrogance.
My conscience is free and clear, and my GOD knows it.
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