Park County Sheriff Fred Wegener announced that former Jail Captain Monte Gore was sworn in at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 1 as the department's new Undersheriff. The new appointment follows the investigation and termination of former Undersheriff Don Anthony on November 18. Capt. Gore had been serving as Acting Undersheriff since Anthony was placed on administrative leave in October.

Anthony and another officer fired by the Sheriff's department last month appealed their terminations in accordance with department policy. Hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week resulted in no change of status; the terminations of former Lt. Ed Rasch and former Undersheriff Don Anthony will stand, according to Sheriff Wegener.

In further reorganization of the department, Wegener has announced that he will test for two new positions of Jail Lieutenant and Patrol Lieutenant within the next two weeks. Wegener anticipates that the new positions will improve supervision and command communication within the department. Additionally, the Sheriff said that he has received authorization to add one Detective and two additional Corporals as of January 1, 2006. Adding the Corporal positions, Wegener said, will improve round-the-clock supervision of patrol deputies in both districts. The Detective's position will be added in response to a significant increase in serious crime in the county, according to the Sheriff. The new Corporals will bring the supervisory level to one Sergeant and two Corporals in each district.

Related:
Officers Appeal Termination (11/28/05)