Darren Weekly will be the new sheriff, although he’s not new to town. On January 10, the Colorado native will be sworn in as the 34th sheriff of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO).

Weekly always knew he wanted to work in law enforcement. “I just always wanted to help people,” he said. “A lot of kids say they want to be a police officer but grow out of it; I never did.”

Weekly grew up in southeast Denver and attended Cherry Creek schools before attending the police academy. After graduating at the age of 21, he began his career as a reserve police officer for the City of Cherry Hills Police Department, but was soon recruited by DCSO for an undercover position.

“DCSO called out of the blue and offered me a job,” Weekly said. “They wanted someone who could pass as a high school student and who wasn’t from Douglas County; I looked like I was 16.”

After weeks of training with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Weekly infiltrated Ponderosa High School, registering for and attending classes just like any other student. He was there to get information about the drug scene. He had some successes, and the program eventually ended.

During his nearly three decades with DCSO, Weekly has acquired a diverse range of work experience. He has served in most units and teams within the department, which makes him very qualified for the lead position.

“I spent a lot of time in the trenches, and I never forgot what it’s like to work in the jail or be a deputy or detective,” Weekly explained. “When I go to work everyday as the sheriff, I won’t feel like I’ve ‘arrived.’ I really remember where I came from and will support all those who are working for me.”

As the new sheriff, Weekly will continue to restructure DCSO to increase public safety. He aims to lower response times to citizen calls and create more safety within the county detention facility. He would also like a school resource officer (SRO) in every school. “We have one of the most robust SRO programs in the country, but we can do better protecting our kids,” Weekly stated.

When he’s not working, Weekly spends time with his family – wife, Anne, and daughter, Sierra (20), who works in DCSO’s records department.

Weekly values staying in good physical condition. He and Anne go to the gym several evenings a week to exercise and decompress. “Fitness is really important to me,” he said. The family also enjoys traveling and takes a handful of trips each year, almost always to somewhere tropical like Jamaica, Mexico or Florida.

Weekly is excited for the new role. He believes that law enforcement is a calling. “I truly know I was meant to do this job for a living,” he said. “Public service and protecting the public is in my heart. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Weekly hopes to fulfill two terms and leave DCSO better than he found it. “I’m honored to have been chosen by the citizens of Douglas County to lead the Sheriff’s Office into the future. I won’t take a single day in office for granted.”

By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Darren Weekly