Last week the National Information Officers Association (NIOA) awarded the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office for its efforts using social media to engage with community members. 

The 2021 Best Use of Social Media Award was presented to Information and Communication Manager Megan Terlecky at the annual NIOA Training Conference. The national organization recognized the success of the agency’s Deputy Ralphie, Elf on a Shelf, education campaign. 

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office utilizes social media to share public safety information, foster relationships with community members, humanize the men and women of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office and make law enforcement work accessible to everyone in the community. In 2017, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office began participating in Elf on the Shelf to further connect with community members on social media. 

In 2020, there was an even greater need to find new and virtual ways to interact with community members. Deputy Ralphie was happy to help - giving us all something positive to look forward to! As a certified law enforcement elf, Deputy Ralphie shared education information, visited community partners, and highlighted the excellent work Mesa County Sheriff’s Office deputies do each day.

Deputy Ralphie is so proud of this award he got special permission from Santa to make an extra visit to Grand Junction! He will be back full-time with the Sheriff’s Office the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. You can follow Deputy Ralphie’s adventures on Facebook and Instagram.