There is a new member of the Yuma Police Department.
Officer Rachel Billings is in her third week on the force. She came over from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, where she worked for 2-1/2 years, doing code enforcement, animal control and patrol duties.
“I am learning Yuma better and I am enjoying it,” she said.
Officer Billings grew up in Bailey, located in the mountains west of Denver, graduating from Conifer High School.
She then spent several years in Montana, where she attended school. She also worked at ranches, helped train cutting horses, barrel horses and ranch horses, and rode performance horses. She also worked as a vet tech, and even managed a bar while in college.
Officer Billings moved to Washington County with her husband. They broke up, but she wanted to stay around and wanted to go the police academy. She attended the one at Otero Junior College in La Junta, then took the job with the WCSO.
She said her swim coach as a youth was a police officer, as was a man at her church who was a positive influence, and her uncle also was in law enforcement, giving her a lot of good role models.
“I like being in more rural areas,” she said. “I spent quite a bit of time in rural areas in Montana, and much prefer being in rural areas rather than closer to a place like Denver.”
Her addition brings the Yuma police force leaves one position left to fill.
“We are excited to have Officer Billings join the Yuma Police Department team and see how her skills and enthusiasm will enhance our efforts to ensure a safer community,” Chief Jerry Thompson said.