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In 2011, Investigators Mary Lou Gwaltney and Mark Simpson revitalized the Juvenile Investigative Unit of the Arapahoe County
Sheriff’s Office by instituting a more proactive approach to juvenile delinquency and diversion. Although the Sheriff’s Office
has had programs such as the Internal Diversion Program, Operation Home Check, and SHODI (Serious Habitual Offender / Directed
Intervention) programs in place, Investigators Gwaltney and Simpson had put forth great efforts to ensure their continued
success. Through the Sheriff’s Office internal tracking system, juveniles are being identified before they are on the verge
of serious criminal conduct. Juveniles that have committed certain criminal acts may be eligible for an Internal Diversion
Program which is meant to address negative police contacts in lieu of formal criminal charges being filed in court. This
tracking system also opens the door for the Sheriff’s Office “Operation Home Check” program where Investigators Gwaltney and
Simpson are able to identify juveniles that have not met the threshold for a criminal case filing or an Internal Diversion
Program. Investigators Gwaltney and Simpson meet with these juveniles and their parents to address identified negative behavior
patterns in hopes that positive police contact as well as the dissemination of available resources will curb future negative
behavior. Also in 2011, Investigators Gwaltney and Simpson have been more active in the SHODI program and have identified
and recommended several juveniles to this program that may have otherwise been lost in the court system. The Sheriff’s Office
and the Juvenile Investigative Unit continue to be committed to our community’s youth through positive police encounters,
education, and alternative law enforcement measures.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Investigative Unit, please contact
us at 720-874-4020.
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