Sheriffs' Posses have existed in the United States since the 1700s. In the West, territorial jurisdictions were vast and law enforcement was minimal. Sheriffs and marshals often deputized ranchers, farmers, cowboys, and townspeople to help enforce the law and hunt down and capture criminals and escapees.
Qualifications for these early-day Posse members required little more than the ability to shoot straight, ride a horse, follow a trail, and survive for long periods of time in the field. Records show that Posses have been used to cover Larimer County's 2,640 square miles since the 1880s. Our current Posse was organized in 1956 and has served the citizens of Larimer County since.
Posse members fall into two categories - deputized and auxiliary. Deputized candidates must be at least 21 years old and complete a 220 hour Reserve Officer Training Academy which includes basic law, community relations, patrol procedures, communications, arrest control, driving and firearms. Auxiliary candidates must be at least 18 years old, are not deputized, and do not carry firearms.
All new Posse members must also pass horse skills testing, extensive background investigations, integrity and oral board interviews, and physical and psychological testing. Candidates must own their own horse and the ability to transport it.
Once a member of the Posse, additional training is also offered in mounted patrol skills, map/compass/GPS usage, car partner program, and other specialized training offered by the Sheriff's Office. Deputized Posse members carry a minimum of a "Reserve Deputy" Sheriff Commission.
