Las Animas Launches City Police Department with New Chief in Place

The City of Las Animas is initiating a municipal police department and has appointed David Dougherty to lead the effort. City officials said Dougherty "officially assumes his role on January 5, 2026," and set a target for the department to be "fully operational by March 1, 2026." The announcement framed the move as driven by a focus on public safety, noting that "public safety is our highest priority."

The release emphasized continuity with county law enforcement, saying the city has "worked hand in hand with the Bent County Sheriff’s Department" and intends to continue that partnership. City leaders also stated they will "join forces and share resources" with the sheriff’s office to manage the transition.

City materials describe Dougherty as a veteran with more than forty years of law-enforcement experience and as a proponent of community policing. Officials highlighted his record of programs that engage youth, support victims, and build relationships between officers and residents. The announcement said Dougherty will spend the coming weeks assembling a team of officers "who share our values, individuals who are skilled, compassionate, and dedicated to serving Las Animas." The statement invited residents to a Meet & Greet with Chief Dougherty at City Hall on January 5 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A municipal police force will change who answers calls, sets patrol patterns, and develops local policy. For residents, potential effects include a more visible uniformed presence in neighborhoods and a shift in where budget and oversight decisions are made. The city’s timeline leaves a narrow window for hiring, training, and establishing policies and governance structures before the March 1 operational goal.

Key questions for city leaders include how the new department will be funded, whether officers will be hired from within or recruited externally, how coordination with the Bent County Sheriff’s Department will be codified, and what civilian oversight or reporting measures will be in place. Clear answers on staffing levels, response-time expectations, and community-engagement plans will be essential for residents evaluating the change.

As the department forms, residents can expect future public meetings and updates from city officials. The transition presents an opportunity to define local priorities for policing and to build accountability mechanisms that reflect community expectations. Transparency about budgets, deployment, and training will determine whether the new structure strengthens safety and trust across Las Animas.