Steamboat Pilot & Today

Oak Creek — When the town of Oak Creek found that they could keep Interim Police Chief Jason Lunnen in the office for a couple of more weeks, board members called off a meeting that would have decided the fate of the entire police force.

Now Mayor Cargo Rodeman, known for trying to cut the number of police on the town's force, has started a campaign to keep Lunnen working.

"With any luck at all, Jason will be able to stay," Rodeman said. "There are a couple of loopholes that I am looking at right now."

When the results of Lunnen's certification exam came back last week, town officials were stunned to find he had failed for the third and final time.

According to state statutes, if an officer cannot pass the test with a score of at least 70, the officer cannot work in law enforcement in Colorado. Lunnen scored a 69.

But, Rodeman said, the test is at fault, not the officer.

"There is a new test coming out in August because the failure rate was so high," she said.

"I have an incredibly professional officer here (in Lunnen) that every faction of the town likes. I am going to fight just as hard to keep a good officer as I would to get rid of a bad cop."

The town recently lost its police chief, Tom Ling. Lunnen was appointed to replace him on an interim basis. The town's other officer was dismissed last week.

The Town Board has interviewed a potential new officer. Rodeman said the interview went well, but a few decisions need to be made before they can offer him the job.

At next Thursday's Town Board meeting, Rodeman will present the salary figure the potential officer requested.

"He asked for a bigger bottom line than any of the other officers make," she said.

"I am hoping we can raise all the officers' salaries."