05/29/2022
Respect. Integrity. Service. Engagement. Our values are more than just words that decorate our walls - they define how we interact with everyone we encounter. Julianne recently wrote to us to share her story. During a tough time in her life, she had several interactions with local law enforcement and wanted to share her experience.
"A few years back I suffered a very tragic loss and instead of dealing with it in any way, I chose the worst possible way and I turned to drugs to keep myself from feeling anything at all. Not the best idea. But at the time, I did not care. I did not care and actually hoped I wouldn't survive it. I ended up becoming homeless on the streets of Fort Collins. Not bc I didn't have family, I did. I just was not at all wanting to change and most certainly not willing to ask or accept help. Of course, that turned into some petty crime. I never hurt anyone (other than myself) and I never had victims of any kind.
As most homeless people, I ended up having several run ins with FCPD and Larimer County Sheriff's Dept. I absolutely can not speak to anyone else but I can 100% say I was NEVER treated with any disrespect, negative experience of any kind. I was actually treated with compassion and genuine care. The last time I was arrested it was after I was actually on the most wanted bc I had left the halfway house. (Very stupid, I know) when I was arrested that time, I knew it meant that I would be going to prison and I was terrified. I have never had been in any trouble in my entire life and I knew I wasn't the kind of person who would thrive in prison environment.
While I was being brought to the county jail, I completely fell apart. I was absolutely sobbing. I truly wish I could remember the officer who drove me bc he was one of the nicest person I have ever come across. He was trying to calm me down, telling me that I would get through it, and more. I can not speak to every single officer but I would be thrilled if everyone could know that we are all VERY fortunate to be in Fort Collins where the police are truly the very definition of protect and serve. Even tho at that time, I was the criminal, I was treated with nothing but the utmost respect and never anything other than positive. Having been homeless I came across officer Kyle Duncan and Officer Rogers and they are both good men and excellent police officers.
I think everyone should know when I can sincerely say our local officer's do not fall into any of the negatives we've heard in the news with some other police forces. I've been out of prison for a little over a year now. I'm just shy of 3 years sober and my life couldn't get much better. I just want to say thank you to FCPD, Larimer County Sheriff's Dept and to most of the officer's at our County jail. Thank you!!!"