Detentions
A Message from the Detentions Commander
Hi, my names is Kim Vallario and I am the Commander of the Detention Facility. I moved to the great state of Colorado in 1990 and joined the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office in 2005 as a Detentions Deputy. Throughout the years, I have held the positions of Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant and then was promoted to Commander in 2018. Some of my current responsibilities include: participating, designing, implementing and overseeing the daily operations of the jail according to state statutes and relevant case law, leading a great team of supervisors, ensuring all employees are well supported, trained and treated equally and fairly, and helping develop new assistance programs for inmates, to help them integrate back into this great community.
I really appreciate the way this agency supports its employees. The amount of professional training and the many opportunities the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office provides is impressive. We have been able to create and maintain a professional, teamwork-oriented environment, which helps keep our employees safe, supported and encouraged. As a team, we are able to face the ever-changing challenges that present themselves, utilize the strengths of each individual, build on an ever-growing knowledge base, and compose successful solutions. I have had the pleasure to work alongside each member of our team, watching him or her grow in their career.
I hope you take the time to learn more about our agency and the many opportunities it provides.
Commander Vallario
The Heart of Law Enforcement in Garfield County
The Detentions Division is the heart of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. Detentions Deputies are responsible for booking, transporting and protecting inmates. At the end of the day, the role of a Detentions Deputy is to ensure that everyone goes home safe - both deputies and inmates.
The Garfield County Jail is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The jail can house up to 225 inmates who can be classified from low security to high security. Deputies work as a team over the course of a 12 hour shift.
Detentions is a vital role in Law Enforcement and can be a very rewarding career. It can also serve as a great introduction into Law Enforcement. Many of our current Patrol Deputies and investigators started their careers at the Garfield County Jail.
Great Team
Join a highly professional and dedicated team in the Detentions Division. The detentions staff make up a huge part of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office which is one large agency of dedicated and hard-working professionals.
Rewarding
This is a career with a purpose. What you do daily truly matters. Your role as a Detentions Deputy helps serve the criminal justice system and keeps our community safe.
Training
Sheriff Vallario believes that training is essential in providing quality service to members of the community. From Career Path development, to officer safety, training plays an important role. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office backs this belief by having a mandatory 96 hours of in-house training per year. In addition, the Sheriff’s Office is committed to sending deputies to training outside the agency to enhance their skill sets and job-related interests. The agency also provides opportunities for numerous instructor and teaching opportunities and has a clearly defined career path for advancement.
Detentions Has Three Job Areas:
Detentions Deputy
A Detentions Deputy is responsible for the safety and security of inmates housed at the Garfield County Jail. During the course of a shift, a Detentions Deputy can expect to perform custodial searches of inmates and their cells, book-in and release inmates, take fingerprints, and monitor both low and high risk security areas.
Detentions Specialist
A Detentions Specialist monitors all sensitive areas both inside and outside of the detention facility. They also help maintain security in the Sheriffs Office and the Court House to ensure the safety of staff and inmates.
Court Services
Court Services Deputies are responsible for transporting inmates from medical appointments, court appearances and to other facilities. These deputies are also responsible for extraditions from other states and countries.
Why We Enjoy Working Here:
“The reason I choose to work at the SO is because I needed a career change and the SO was hiring, And what made me come to work at the SO? It was paying a lot more and they offered great benefits. Wouldn’t pick anywhere else to work.”
“Working for the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Every day, I show up with pride, courage, integrity, and a strong sense of purpose. This agency challenges me to perform at my best, and I appreciate that standard — it pushes me to keep improving. At the same time, there’s the freedom to advance your career at your own pace, and I’ve felt supported every step of the way. One of the things I’m most proud of is being a Field Training Officer. It means a lot to be trusted to train new deputies and help them start off on the right foot. Being part of an agency that holds itself to such a high level of accountability and professionalism makes me proud to work here.”
“I really enjoy working at the SO, as it presents me with the opportunity to embrace new challenges each day. Also, I find fulfillment in serving our community and positively impacting those around me.”
Shadow a Detentions Deputy
Come take a tour of the Garfield County Jail and speak to some Detentions Deputies. This is a great opportunity to explore the career, learn about Law Enforcement, and get more information about the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.