Undersheriff Heap’s dedication to making Elbert County a safe place to live and raise a family is demonstrated in many ways. He regularly attends community meetings and special events where he is able to interact and communicate with citizens, discussing and addressing their concerns. He is actively involved in mentoring members of the Sheriff’s Office, and has provided leadership, management, and direction to employees and deputies at every level. Undersheriff Heap works well with the County Commissioners and government officials, establishing working relationships and partnerships that are critical to the daily functions of the County.

In an ongoing effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Sheriff’s Office, Undersheriff Heap has instituted a number of cost-savings, improvements and special programs designed to more effectively serve the citizens of Elbert County.

Some recent projects include:

INCREASING SCHOOL SAFETY – Safety in our schools has become an increasing priority under the leadership of Undersheriff Heap. By establishing a daily presence in the schools and assigning specific Deputies to serve as school liaisons, Heap has improved interaction between the Sheriff’s Office and students, teachers and administrators, and provided a safer environment for schools. This partnering program between the Sheriff’s Office and the Elbert County School District had never been implemented before, and has received consistently positive feedback from the school district and from parents.

TARGETING D.U.I.s – As Undersheriff, Heap has instituted low manpower DUI checkpoints for the sole purpose of reducing traffic related accidents, injuries and deaths resulting from driving under the influence. This program was financed through local grants and carefully staffed, resulting in no overtime funds paid out of the County budget. This program has taken many intoxicated drivers off the road and will remain an ongoing program for the Sheriff’s Office.

IMPROVING SKILLS THROUGH TRAINING – Undersheriff Heap recognizes the importance of Officer Safety and has shown his commitment to an increasingly professional manner of conducting law enforcement through continuing training for the Deputies. Under his current structure, Deputies are cross trained and function in multiple roles, ensuring more efficient and effective service to the community. In addition, the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office now has instructors in Arrest Control, Firearms, Tasers, Standard Field Sobriety Tests, Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, Emergency Vehicle Operation, Report Writing, Chemical Munitions, and many others. This in-house training method saves a significant amount of county funds and has resulted in a highly trained professional organization.

COST SAVING PROJECTS – Since joining the Sheriff’s office, Undersheriff Heap has actually turned inmates incarcerated at the Elbert County Jail into a big part of the cost savings for the County. The Sheriff’s Office is mandated by Colorado State Statute to maintain a jail, and the Sheriff’s Office utilizes this work force to pick up trash, clean roadway signs and remove debris from roadways. Inmates are also utilized in daily cleaning and maintaining of the justice facility. This is the first time such a program has been implemented. Additionally, newly-implemented work release and home detention programs not only offset the cost of housing inmates but those individuals are required to pay for all costs associated with the program. Undersheriff Heap has also established a small farm plot where inmates grow their own fresh fruits and vegetables during the spring and summer, and he has arranged for the Sheriff’s Office to partner with individuals and companies that donate food to the jail, simultaneously improving the quality of food and significantly reducing the cost of feeding inmates.

MEETING THE NEEDS OF ELBERT COUNTY RESIDENTS – Undersheriff Heap firmly believes that Elbert County’s budget crisis is no excuse for limiting the law enforcement services that our community expects and deserves. Funding for additional officers, training, weapons, K-9 units, and equipment is available from multiple sources that include non-profit agencies and organizations throughout the United States. Undersheriff Heap has consistently secured external sources of public safety funding, and in 2009 alone he applied for and received almost $850,000 in grants for training and equipment.

ADDRESSING AGRICULTURAL CRIMES – Farmers and ranchers are a high priority and valued members of Elbert County’s rural community and lifestyle. Recently, Undersheriff Heap has increased patrols of rural roads. As Sheriff, Heap will implement a program called “Ranch Watch,” utilizing Sheriff’s Office no trespassing signs and additional patrols that provide safety and security for agricultural communities.