SPD leadership debunk myths

As long as there has been law enforcement, myths and assumptions have been linked to the profession. Some myths are unbelievable enough to be easily dismissed, other myths linger for decades.

Every year, in December, the Chief of the Sheridan Police Department Travis Koltiska and Captain Tom Ringley appear on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to speak on myths and misinformation regarding the SPD they have either heard or seen on social media and other sources. 

Although the Chief was born and raised in Sheridan and the Captain’s family is from the area, one such myth they heard or seen from the public deals with the hiring of Sheridan residents as members of the PD. The myth that the SPD does not hire Sheridan residents is completely untrue. The character of the majority of Sheridan’s residents is why they both continue to call the city home and work to protect its citizens, according to the SPD Chief. Long time listeners of the radio program will recount the Captain often speaking on the high character of Sheridan’s residents. 

The success rate of potential candidates to receive a position on the SPD, is one in five, according to Ringley. 

Another myth that has remained despite efforts to dispel it, is a belief by a few that PD officers are somehow rewarded or punished for exceeding or failing to meet arrest and citation quotas. 

Ringley told listeners that is far from the truth. 

Capt. T. Ringley 

According to the SPD Captain, the only quotas that must be met by patrolling offers include making face to face contact with and checking in on local schools – including Sheridan College – and interacting with at least one Sheridan resident not related to answering a call or response and that is not serving the officer food or beverage during each shift.