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Andy began his law enforcement career with the Colorado Springs Police Department in October 1985, where he served in Patrol, Metro VNI, Tactical Enforcement Unit and the Training Academy.

After being promoted to Sergeant, Andy held assignments in Patrol, Property Crimes Unit, Tactical Enforcement Unit, Metro Vice, Narcotics, and Intelligence Unit, Municipal Security Division, and the Violent Crimes Unit. He spent the last 3 ½ years of his 30-year career overseeing the Homicide, Cold Case, and Missing Persons Units.

During his career at the Colorado Springs Police Department, Andy received numerous awards and letters of appreciation from the community he served. In 2014, he was the Hundred Club Award recipient. This award is given to one person from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Springs Fire Department, and the Colorado Springs Police Department who displays consistent, exceptional performance and service to the community. In October 2015, Andy retired from the Colorado Springs Police Department.

After a week of retirement in 2015, he returned to law enforcement as the Chief of Investigations for the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office where he fostered a close working relationship with all law enforcement agencies within the 4th Judicial District.

On November 6, 2018, Andy joined the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and was sworn in as the Commander of the Investigations Division. On August 3, 2020, Commander Andy James was appointed as the Acting Bureau Chief for the Law Enforcement Bureau, formally receiving the permanent appointment on February 8, 2021.

Chief James currently serves as a member of the El Paso-Teller County 9-1-1 Authority Board.