Bayfield Town Board has hired a new police chief.
During a regular town board meeting, trustees entered an executive session to discuss the employment contract for Sean Dugan, one of two candidates who applied for the role.
Trustee Lori Zazzaro requested that the board move ahead with Dugan’s contract following the executive session. The board unanimously voted to move ahead with Dugan’s employment.
“Chief Dugan’s years of experience at a variety of roles and different levels in Colorado law enforcement (including at the department Chief level) were very impressive,” Town Manager John Water said in an email to The Durango Herald.
Tony Hobbs, the other candidate for the position, pulled his application for consideration, Waters said.
During a March 11 meet-and-greet event, Dugan said he was looking forward to working with and getting to know the Bayfield community. He will now be able to do so.
“I’m a firm believer in getting out and getting to know your community,” he said at the time. “I’m one of those people that really believes that people will forget what you said and they’ll forget what you did, but they’ll never forget how you made them feel.”
The release said Dugan brings more than 40 years of combined military and law enforcement experience, “along with a long-standing commitment to service and community safety.”
“Originally from the Niagara Falls region of New York, Chief Dugan began his public service career at 17 by enlisting in the U.S. Navy, where he served for six years,” the release said.
He then went on to work in law enforcement.
According to his application materials – obtained through an open records request – Dugan has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix at Lone Tree, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.
He then served in the Littleton Police Department from 1984 to 2014, where he worked in the patrol, support and investigations divisions, according to his resume.
After that, he became chief of the Red Rocks Community College Police Department, where he was selected as president of the Colorado Association of Institutional Law Enforcement Directors from 2021 to 2024.
During his time at that department, Dugan said he tried to get to know the student population he served by hosting “Ask a Cop, Get a Donut” events, where students were invited to meet with him over pastries. It was a strategy that worked well for getting to know the community, and he wants to host similar events in Bayfield.
“I want to make myself available for people to walk in, make an appointment, and I'll sit down and have coffee with you anywhere and anytime,” Dugan said.
According to his contract, which was included in Tuesday’s meeting packet, Dugan will be required to start serving as police chief May 1. He will be paid an annual salary of $124,000 and be given insurance and other benefits. Additionally, he will be subject to performance reviews, the contract said.
Dugan will serve as the top administrative officer for Bayfield’s police department, according to the position’s job description. He will oversee police field operations, records management, criminal investigations, officer training and patrols. He will support the town board and town manager.
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
