Press Conference Held by Mayor Graham, Chief of Pueblo Police Department and FBI to Address Crime

PUEBLO-Mayor of Pueblo Heather Graham, Chief of Pueblo Police Department Chris Noeller and Special Agent in charge of the Denver Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Mark Michalek hosted a press conference on Tuesday, April 23 to address recent homicides in 2024 and gun violence in the Pueblo community. The Pueblo Police Department and FBI have a long-term partnership with the Safe Streets Task Force and are working proactively to address gang violence, drug distribution and other crime.

Mayor Graham spoke first at the press conference offering her condolences to the families of the 11 homicides which have occurred since January 2024. She shared her support for the Pueblo Police Department and spoke about the Mayoral Order to temporarily suspend the Civil Service requirements allowing for the hiring of lateral officers more quickly and addressing the prolonged time to hire new officers. This suspension does not lessen any of the Peace Officer Standard of Training (POST) requirements for new officers but shortens the timeframe from application to start date of an academy with more of a rolling deadline.

Additionally, Mayor Graham had a call to action for the community, stating, "To the parents, guardians, friends, loved ones, siblings and friends of these young teens in our community who are participating in these gang related activities, are associated with gun violence and these crimes, please help us. Know where your children are at night. Even if you think, "it couldn't be my child or my friend," please be aware of how your oversight and care for our teens affects all of us in our community."

Mayor Graham introduced the partnership with the Pueblo Police Department and the FBI. Special Agent Michalek reiterated the support of the FBI to the Pueblo community.

"I stand here today in solidarity with Mayor Graham and Chief Noeller to recognize our shared commitment to public safety," said Special Agent in charge of the Denver Field Office of the FBI Mark Michalek. "In Pueblo, there is no stronger partner than the FBI, and our agencies are working together every day to protect the community by focusing our expertise and resources to address systemic crime and prevent violence."

Police Chief Chris Noeller shared changes within the department and how proactive policing will assist with deterring crime and address the increased gang and gun violence experienced in the Pueblo community.

Chief Noeller shared the recent work of the department by stating, "I want to be sure to highlight that our work on violent crime has been ongoing. In just the past four weeks, our officers have conducted 8 search warrants, made five arrests, and have taken 86 guns off our streets."

Chief Noeller highlighted the work of the Safe Streets Task Force with the FBI office, which has been ongoing for nearly five years. Additionally, Chief Noeller shared plans to move additional detectives into the Criminal Investigations Division and the creation of an IMPACT team, to focus solely on proactive work to address criminal, gang activity and other violent crimes. He also shared the same call to action as Mayor Graham to invite parents and guardians to pay attention to who their children's friends are and if they are a positive influence while stressing the importance of a safe space and a safe ride home for teens.

"We want to reiterate that we understand the homicide rate this year and the gun violence experienced by our community is taking its toll on our friends, family and neighbors," said Chief Noeller. "Please know the Pueblo Police Department is taking a new approach to directly address this violent crime because we too are deeply affected by the gun violence."

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.