The Fowler Police Department (FPD) is the law enforcement agency of the town of Fowler, Colorado. Formed soon after the incorporation of the town in 1901, the police department originally consisted of a single night watchman or town marshal.
Contents
Chief of Police
The title chief of police was first used during the 1960s when the current marshall, Joseph C. Coleman, adopted the title. The first official department uniform was adopted at this time as well. Chief Curtis "Curly" Hawkins is the longest serving chief of the department to date with nine years of service as an officer and an additional eight years as chief before retirement. Chief Ryan Gates was the youngest person to manage the department, appointed to the position eight days after turning twenty-two years old. Chief Henry Borrego, the department's first Hispanic chief of police, was appointed in 2007. Tony Webb is the department's second Hispanic Chief of Police appointed in 2010 but was unable to hold the position for more than one year.
Also contributing to the short term of employment for police Chiefs appears to be lack of community work and participation. Previously hired Fowler Police Department Chiefs have had the mentality that they were commissioned to man a desk for the paid work shift and direct orders.
Fowler is once again without a Chief still searching for someone to fill the working role as head of the department as well as a working officer. Some in the town have questioned if it will ever be able to hire and retain a professional Chief in the future without providing a substantial employment contract.
List of Fowler Police Chiefs
Organization
Though originally consisting of only one paid member, the department currently (as of 2008) employees a full-time chief, two full-time officers, and two part-time officers. A volunteer reserve division with an authorized strength of ten officers exists within the department and is typically managed by a reserve captain.
Patrol Units
A wide range of patrol vehicles have been utilized by the department. In recent years, Ford Crown Victoria's and Chevrolet Caprice's comprised the bulk of the department's fleet. A Chevrolet Tahoe was recently added and at one time a Chevrolet Camaro was utilized. The paint schemes of the vehicles have varied over the years. Older photos indicate the first vehicles were painted white and displayed a badge decal on the door. For many years afterwards, the fleet was silver with various decal stripes and/or lettering. In early 2008 the entire fleet was repainted in a new two-tone black and white scheme.
Uniforms
The uniform of the Fowler Police Department has varied throughout the years. Early uniforms were a mixture of light blue and brown. The uniform later evolved to darker colors including navy blue and black. Shoulder patches (alternately worn and discarded throughout the department's history) typically displayed a version of the town's logo. The current department badge has been in use since 1997. It is a typical oval design but unique in that sections of the badge have been cut out and removed.
National Media Coverage
The department has been the focus of several interviews and media coverages during the later part of its history. During the early 1990s, the department was mentioned in national media regarding allegations it was operating a speed trap on US Highway 50. The department was again mentioned in May 2002, when Chief Ryan Gates conducted a traffic stop on Luke Helder, the "Midwest Pipe Bomber". Two law enforcement officers from other states had previously conducted traffic stops on Helder a day prior. All of the traffic stops took place before the recognition of Helder as a suspect by investigating authorities. In early 2007, the department's reserve officers were mentioned in an article by The Denver Post newspaper regarding the generosity of Town of Fowler's volunteers.