After 31 years in law enforcement, a man who dedicated every
minute of those years to public safety is retiring and heading in a
new direction in his career.
Col. Mark V. Trostel, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, made
the announcement of his retirement Dec. 17, 2008 and will retire
Feb. 28.
The Elbert County resident said even though he has had a great
career in law enforcement, it is time for a new person to come and
take over the reins as state patrol chief.
But Trostel will not be too far from his roots. He’s looking to
possibly work at the federal level using his knowledge in public
safety to make a difference nationally.
But first he will spend some necessary time off with his family,
traveling and riding horses.
“In a way the job is a 24/7 job and I haven’t been able to tend
to a lot of projects around the house,” he said. “Now I can take
some time to address those things.”
Although Trostel said he has made a lot of sacrifices during the
years because of his position, he said he has been fortunate to
have the opportunity to serve the people of Colorado and honored to
work with people of character and integrity every day at the state
patrol. Trostel also is proud of the progress Colorado has made in
traffic safety during his years in law enforcement.
He set a goal of reducing statewide traffic fatalities and in
2007, the Colorado State Patrol was recognized by the International
Association of Chiefs of Police as one of the best overall safety
programs in the United States.
“We have done some amazing things and one of them would be
reduction in crash injuries and the reduction in fatal crashes,” he
said.
Trostel said traffic enforcement always was a passion and
interest of his and he does not think any other career would be as
satisfying. He hopes one day Colorado will be one the safest states
for drivers on the road.
“To participate in a career as great as saving lives — I don’t
think there is anything more worthwhile,” he said.
Awards under Trostel
The Colorado State Patrol was cited in 2005 by the National
Safety Council as the most improved, with the best performance and
best instructor, and for its outstanding effort in training teen
drivers for the CSP’s Alive at 25 program.
In ’06, the CSP Victims Assistance Unit received the “Award for
Professional Innovation in Victim Services” from the U.S.
Department of Justice.
The CSP was awarded first place in ’06 by the IACP/National
Chiefs Challenge for its Colorado Traffic Safety program.
Chief Trostel was recognized by the Colorado Cattlemen’s
Association and the Colorado Brand Board as the “2006 Livestock
Officer of the Year.”
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration presented the
Colorado State Patrol’s Motor Carriers Safety Section with the ’08
Leadership Award for overall state safety program performance.
The CSP Denver Communications Center is recognized with the
Association of Public Safety Communications Officials ’08
Communications Center of the Year award.
