Chase County Deputy Vince Lopez has successfully completed the reactivation process that brings his Nebraska Law Enforcement Certification current.

According to Title 79, Chapter 4, officers who have been out of law enforcement for two or more years must complete a course of training to ensure their certification is current and up to date.

Deputy Lopez has been engaged in this training since July. This consisted of on-line courses and on-site training at the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in Grand Island. Deputy Lopez graduated from this program on Oct. 20.

In the spring of 2009, Sheriff Tim Sutherland hired Lopez. 

“Many have already met Lopez as he has been patrolling the county and we feel he is going to be a great asset to the department and the people of Chase County,” Sutherland said.

Deputy Lopez has 10 years experience in Nebraska law enforcement, having worked as a patrolman with the Valentine Police Department and as a training officer with the Kearney Police Department prior to coming to work here in Chase County.

Sheriff Sutherland has three deputies that work with him. Chief Deputy Bill Whitlow, Deputies Dan Steinert and Lopez. He said he is very happy to have been able to hire such qualified officers which brings a combined total of 76 years of active law enforcement experience to the sheriff’s department.