Name: Michael Hall
Age: 35
Telephone: 970-759-0777
Email: mikehall28@yahoo.com
Website: mikehallforcoroner.com
1. List three action items you’d introduce to guarantee the people’s right to know?
First, I would introduce a link on the county website that would take the pubic to a web page for the coroner’s office. Currently, the coroner’s office is not listed on the county’s website under the department link. As a public official, it is imperative to be available to the public and to provide accurate information. Second, the coroner’s office is obligated to release certain information under Colorado Revised Statutes. I would make sure this is done in a timely, yet respectful manner. Last, as an elected official, it is important to be a part of the community and be involved in community events. I invite the community to approach me freely and have open discussions about the coroner’s office.
2. If elected, what would be your top priorities as coroner?
I would encourage and promote an open dialogue with all law enforcement agencies, the medical field and the district attorney’s office in an effort to effectively and promptly investigate a death. Secondly, I am concerned about the rise of suicide in our community. My plan is to introduce awareness, specifically to the youth, about mental health and suicide prevention.
3. List the office’s top three needs, and what steps would you take to address those concerns?
Most importantly, the office needs someone who is a trained investigator. With my extensive training as a law enforcement officer for over six years, I have the skills and experience to thoroughly investigate the scene of a death. Secondly, the office needs a professional method of communicating with the public. I would like to create an informative website and invite the community to contact our office with questions and suggestions. Lastly, the office needs to maintain integrity and professionalism. I will work to implement protocols that promote such standards.
4. What is the difference between a coroner, a medical examiner, and a forensic pathologist?
A coroner is an elected official who investigates the cause and manner of a death. A medical examiner is a physician who can perform autopsies to determine the cause of death. A forensic pathologist is a physician who has obtained specialized training in pathology as well as forensic pathology. Coroners contract with medical professionals to provide medical expertise and autopsies to support their investigation. In Montezuma County, the coroner’s office contracts with a forensic pathologist from Grand Junction to perform all autopsies. The coroner’s main focus is on-scene investigation. This includes identification of the deceased, inventory and safe keeping of personal belongings, interviewing people involved in the incident, investigating circumstances surrounding the death, accurately notifying next of kin and following up with medical professionals.
5. Would you support an initiative that required coroners to hold accredited medical or scientific credentials? Why or why not?
The coroner’s office contracts with medical professionals who have specific medical training. Oftentimes, medical professionals have little to no training relating to on-scene investigation. The collaboration between the medical professionals and the coroner allows each professional to focus on their particular strengths and expertise. However, to enhance the coroner’s office it is essential to continue education in both the investigative and medical field.
6. List your expertise and/or qualifications that set you apart from other candidates.
The role of a coroner is to investigate the cause and manner of a death. My skills as an investigator for six years with the Arizona State Police makes me uniquely qualified for this position. I was trained by Arizona’s top law enforcement academy (ALEA) to be an investigator. After graduating from the academy, I was stationed on the Navajo Indian Reservation where I worked for six years. While working the road, I had the opportunity to prefect my investigative skills, while implementing the newest protocols. I consistently participated in advanced training; which included investigation of motor vehicle collisions, homicide, suicide and accidental deaths. A key element of investigative training is learning to write a detailed and comprehensive report on observations and actions taken at a scene. I have investigated numerous deaths and have written many detailed reports on such incidents. Writing detailed and complete reports can save the county time and money in litigation. I have also testified in court on numerous occasions and I am comfortable in courtroom proceedings. Arizona is a medical examiner state, which means as a state police officer, I completed tasks for which a Colorado County Coroner is responsible. As an Arizona State Police Officer, I identified the body, took the proper steps of confirming the identification, inventoried personal belongings found on the body, witnessed the autopsy and delivered next of kin notifications. Notifying next of kin is a very difficult part of the job and requires compassion and professionalism. I have exhibited these traits on numerous occasions. I will bring honor, integrity and pride to the Montezuma County Coroner’s office. For more detailed information please visit my website www.mikehallforcoroner.com
