DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Sheriff Department is losing staff as the need for law enforcement intensifies across the nation.

FOX31 found the department is budgeted for 859 sworn positions, but currently has 579 of those positions filled. Overall staffing is at 65%. The sheriff's department reports 109 deputies left in 2024 compared to 124 in 2021.

Sheriff Elias Diggins tells FOX31 a wave of retirement is the main cause of the decrease in staff with those who have served the Department for 25 to 30 years now eligible to leave.

"We believe that over the next couple of years, with our recruitment efforts and with the wave of retirement subsiding, that we’ll be able to see more significant gains,” said Diggins.

The Sheriff also cites civil unrest in 2020 as a reason for some resignations,

See Full Page