As a result of an incident at Central High School involving deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office on April 24, 2024, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office has activated the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). The Grand Junction Police Department is releasing the following information on behalf of the CIRT.
On April 24, 2024, at approximately 12:25 p.m., two deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office were involved in a use of force incident with a Central High School student. There were no serious bodily injuries as a result of this incident.
It is important to note that this investigation is in the early stages, and this preliminary information is subject to change. Members of the Critical Incident Response Team will continue to conduct interviews of witnesses and examine the evidence in this case over the coming days and weeks. Additional information will be released as appropriate, with sensitivity to the ongoing investigation. Once the CIRT has completed its investigation, the findings will be turned over to the 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review.
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two involved deputies, both School Resource Officers, as Deputy Michael Hand and Deputy Phillip Peterson. The involved deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave. An internal investigation will take place separate from the CIRT investigation.
Critical incidents in Mesa County may be investigated by the 21st Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team to ensure an independent investigation. This team is comprised of representatives of the Grand Junction Police Department, Mesa County Sheriff's Office, Fruita Police Department, Palisade Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Department of Corrections, 21st Judicial District Attorney's Office, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The Critical Incident Response Team is activated at the request of the Chief Executive, or his designee, of the law enforcement agency involved in the critical incident. Because the Mesa County Sheriff's Office was involved in this incident, the Grand Junction Police Department is leading the investigation on behalf of the Critical Incident Response Team.