Mesa County forms dedicated inmate Transport Unit to bolster safety
A new dedicated Transport Unit at Mesa County Detention centralizes inmate transfers using existing staff to improve safety, efficiency and reduce unnecessary community trips.
A leadership rotation at the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office led to creation of a dedicated Transport Unit within Court Services to handle inmate medical, mental-health and court transports. Led by Lt. David “Bucky” Holdren and Sgt. Craig Bowen, and staffed by weapon-certified deputies Maximus Wiltse and Ryan Cassidy with support from Sgt. Rob Beagley, the unit uses existing FTEs after consulting other counties and aims to improve safety, cross-train staff, and reduce unnecessary outside transports through virtual options. The Court Services Unit continues to secure the Justice Center—screening more than 12,000 visitors monthly—and the Transport Unit will manage roughly 3–6 local medical visits weekly and about 15 long-haul transports per month.