Durango Police Promotion Announced

Durango, CO:  The Durango Police Department is pleased to announce the promotion of Sergeant Ray Shupe to the position of Lieutenant, which was vacated by the recent promotion of Don Baker.  Lieutenant Shupe will serve as the Assistant Division Commander in the Operations Division.

Lieutenant Shupe began his career with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department as a reserve deputy in 1994.  From 1995 to 1997 he worked for the La Plata County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy in the Jail and then in the Patrol Bureau.  Shupe joined the Durango Police Department in 1997 and was promoted to sergeant in 2005 where he worked in the Patrol Bureau until 2009.  Since then, Ray has been the Administrative Sergeant in the Support Services Bureau, handling Internal Affairs Investigations, Recruiting, Equipment, Crisis Intervention Team, and most recently, supervising the Parking and Code Enforcement Divisions.

“Our department has been through many changes in the recent month, stated Police Chief Jim Spratlen.  “I am excited to work with the new command staff to move the department forward and am confident that Lieutenant Shupe’s knowledge and experience will be a welcome addition to that team.”

The public is invited to a badge pinning ceremony for Lieutenant Shupe this Friday, August 5th at 5:00 p.m. at the Library.  Please take the opportunity to join us in our promotion celebration to personally congratulate and thank Lieutenant Shupe for his service to our community.