MESA COUNTY, Colo. - Mesa County Sheriff Todd Rowell continues investing in the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) future leadership by recently sending two detention sergeants to a national-level leadership academy. The two staff members were selected by both the Correctional Management Institute of Texas and the American Jail Association out of a nationwide pool of interested agency representatives. This academy brings in professionals from across the country to instruct and attend during a week-long course.

After completing a rigorous application process, both Sgt. Tate Herland and Sgt. Lara Provorse were accepted. Then, to prepare, both had to complete several pre-assignments to ensure they arrived with deep knowledge of the agency and operational processes within MCSO. 

“Through this extensive process, we learned the inner workings of our agency and some of the agency challenges that lie beneath the surface,” Sgt. Herland said. 

Class content wasn’t about reading slide decks from classroom seats, but rather interactive dives into agency culture, creating and building leadership, collaboration, accountability, dealing with criticism, managing data, self-improvement, and so much more.

On June 5, Sgt.s Provorse and Herland, representing Colorado, completed final projects and graduated from the program as class 56. Class graduates also included high-level leadership from organizations throughout the country, including Maryland, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Arizona, Virginia, Washington, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio.

Sgt. Herland had one final thought, “Although our certificates state 40 hours of instructional time, both Sgt. Provorse and I spent a lot more time than that. Most of that time was on personal time to meet the program's high demands, learning the inner workings of our agency in a way we could showcase it on a national level.”

The sergeants returned to Mesa County rejuvenated, motivated, and feeling fully prepared to share and implement many of the things they learned during classes. They don’t just consider themselves graduates, but leaders ready to pass along the tools and wisdom they acquired and have grown from. In addition, the professional networks built between all the state attendees will continue to benefit the agency in many ways. Networking ensures best practices and industry standards have continuity nationwide.

“Investing in our future leaders pays dividends for the future of this agency overall,” Division Chief Henry Stoffel said. “Sending top-notch sergeants like these two just made sense now and going forward.”

Congratulations to the graduates of National Jail Leadership Command Academy Class #56!