WALSENBURG — The City of Walsenburg has a new police chief. Mayor Gary Vezanni says they hired Bill Vinelli as their new Police Chief on January 2, but, the mayor confirms the chief is under investigation by his previous department.
The mayor says that although they learned about them on Monday, the hiring committee decided that the allegations against Chief Vinelli were not substantial enough not to hire him. According to CBS Colorado, Vzanni was under investigation for allegedly taking pay from the City of Denver to patrol Red Rocks while also being paid by the City of Morrison.
Vinelli was placed on administrative leave from the Morrison Police Department in November. In a meeting Tuesday, citizens met Vinelli and asked questions.
The mayor shared that Vinelli is not under contract, so, if they learn from Morrison that the investigation turns up something that Vinelli did not disclose, they can go back on the hiring.
Walsenburg previously relied on the Huerfano County Sheriff's Office for protection, but as we previously reported, last year, the sheriff decided they'd no longer work in the city as his deputies were unable to do that and protect the county.
WATCH: Sheriff explains why he abruptly ended the deal to patrol Walsenburg
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