Laramie County Sheriff Shares Year of Change and Growth

Last year was a "transformative period" for the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, according to the agency's 2025 Year in Review, which was unveiled Thursday.

Sheriff Brian Kozak's third year in office focused on operational excellence, addressing mental health challenges within the detention center, and community-driven policing.

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"Following two years of foundational restructuring, 2025 saw the successful implementation of high-level infrastructure projects and specialized units designed to modernize law enforcement in Laramie County," the LCSO said.

You can read more about the highlights below.

Modernization of Facility

Key highlights include opening a Special Management Unit in the jail, dedicated to the humane and safe housing of inmates with mental illness, added new jail court rooms, opened a padded cell, and completed the successful remodel of Central Control after a sewer main break caused extensive damage. We also started a jail booking remodel and finalized a comprehensive 6th Penny proposal to modernize the Sheriff’s Office headquarters. The Sheriff’s Office was originally constructed in 1986. These renovations are an important step towards updating our facility for long-term use into the future and is vital to the safety of our staff, inmates, and visitors.

Specialized Programs

In a major step toward addressing the root causes of alcohol related crime, the LCSO launched the 24/7 Program, a sobriety-focused initiative that provides defendants with a path to recovery rather than long term incarceration, loss of employment and time away from family.

Advancing Public Safety

LCSO established the Traffic Enforcement Unit to enhance roadway safety. The Unit has equipment to enforce size and weight requirements with commercial motor vehicles. Deputies were certified under the 287(g) Program to enforce
immigration law, with the goal to remove unlicensed, undocumented and unsafe drivers from our roads. LCSO reintroduced the Mounted Horse Patrol Unit as a way to connect with the community at special events.

Recruitment and Retention

While law enforcement agencies nationwide face staffing challenges, the LCSO outperformed national averages in both recruitment and retention. This was achieved through creating a positive culture within the Sheriff’s Office, the restructuring of our recruiting team, and growing our media presence to attract applicants from around the country.

Professionalism and Recognizing Personnel Success

Our Employee Ground School was overhauled to ensure deputies new to our agency receive high quality training and are ready to serve the citizens of Laramie County. Training includes topics from Constitutional Law to CPR, which prepare our new deputies for the Field Training Program. We implemented advanced standards for tracking use-of-force incidents and vehicle pursuits, reaffirming our commitment to accountability. A civilian now sits on the LCSO Use of Force Review Board. A new awards program was introduced to recognize and encourage excellence within our staff.

Community at the Core

"2025 was about building on the promise of a professional, high-quality staff," said the Sheriff’s Kozak, "From our True Grit Citizens Academy to our School Resource Programs and events like National Night Out and Special Olympics, we remain committed to fostering the community spirit that makes Laramie County strong."