Attorney for polygamous community officers says they want to keep badges
 
By Brent Hunsaker
ABC 4 News
 
(St. George, Washington County) It has long been suspected that the 7 full-time members of the Marshal's office in Hildale and Colorado City are more loyal to Warren Jeffs than the law. Their critics have charged them with obstructing justice, harassing outsiders and violating the civil rights of those who have fallen out of favor with Jeffs.

At the beginning of this year, Police Officer Standards and Training -- POST -- the organization that oversees certification of law enforcement officers in the state of Utah, launched an investigation into the entire Hildale Marshal's department. That may have been biting off more than its investigative staff could chew.

Today, meeting in St. George, the POST council voted unanimously to put it's investigation on hold while Arizona proceeded with it's own investigation of the Marshals. Since Hildale and it's twin town of Colorado City straddle the Utah and Arizona border, the town Marshals have to be certified in both states.

Arizona's investigation is said to be further along. It is also more focused. Arizona is looking into specific charges that Chief Marshal Fred Barlow and two of his officers stonewalled state and federal inquiries. Arizona POST should have a decision by this summer.

In the meantime, some in Utah law enforcement believe they're seeing progress among the Marshals. Washington County Sheriff Kirk Smith said cooperation with his deputies is improving. Sheriff Smith said, "They're giving us every indication that they want to be legitimate law enforcement officers."

He also points out that distrust of outsiders runs high among the followers of Warren Jeffs. Because of that, he says if the entire department were decertified and outsiders brought in to police Hildale and Colorado City, crimes would likely go unreported.

However, others remain skeptical the Marshals will uphold the law over the demands of Jeffs. When asked if he believed that a young woman being forced into a polygamous marriage could go to the Marshals for help and protection, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff answered, "No." Shurtleff said, "I would like to see the day come when it doesn't matter who you are, no matter what your religious beliefs, whether in or out with the prophet, if you are in need of law enforcement and you call 911, you're going to get immediate response. And I think that day will come eventually."

But it's not here yet.

brent@abc4.com
 
ABC4.com
Originally published March 19, 2007
 
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