Mesa County Sheriff’s Deputies Respond to Altercation at Central High School

Photo byScott RodgersononUnsplash

By Ciara Perez, News Reporter | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC)

Published April 27th, 2024

On April 24, 2024, deputies from the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Unit were called to Central High School following reports of a verbal altercation among a large group of students in the school parking lot.

The deputies involved in the response were identified as Deputy Michael Hand, a nine-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, and Deputy Phillip Peterson, who has served for three years. Both deputies are assigned to the School Resource Unit and are experienced in handling school-related incidents.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office has acknowledged the incident and is aware of videos circulating on social media depicting the altercation. In light of the situation and the public attention it has garnered, the Sheriff’s Office has initiated a thorough internal investigation led by their Professional Standards Unit. This investigation aims to address any concerns regarding the use of force during the incident.

The Sheriff’s Office has issued a call for additional video evidence from the public that may provide further insights into the events that transpired. They are also taking steps to ensure the privacy of the minors involved by redacting their identities from any video material released to the public.

Community members with any information or additional video footage are encouraged to contact the Professional Standards Unit at 970-244-3973 or email socomplaint@mesacounty.us. The Sheriff’s Office has expressed its commitment to conducting a swift and thorough review of the incident to ascertain all pertinent facts and ensure transparency.

Given the involvement of many minors, the Sheriff’s Office is prioritizing the protection of their privacy while handling the incident with the utmost seriousness. The results of the investigation and any additional footage will be made public as soon as they are available, following appropriate redactions.

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