Peter Berryhill

Peter M. Berryhill is a dedicated law enforcement professional with more than twenty-five years of selfless public service. Peter has always prided himself on protecting the community he works and resides in, adhering to the highest ethical standards, and professional excellence. 

Peter has been employed with the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office in Durango, CO, since 2012, where he currently holds the rank of Investigative Sergeant. He is assigned to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), although is in the process of transitioning back into the Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU). Prior to his current employment, he served with the Durango Police Department from 2000-2012.

In his present capacity, Peter assists with investigations involving major crimes, along with conducting polygraph examinations for pre-employment screening, criminal investigations, and internal affairs matters, while also providing polygraph services to allied agencies as needed. Peter will eventually serve as a regional Digital Forensics Examiner, further supporting complex investigations involving electronic evidence, after completing the necessary training and internship.

Peter has extensive experience in criminal and narcotics investigations, undercover operations, internal affairs, background investigations, and task force operations. His prior assignments include Patrol Officer/Deputy, Field Training Officer, Corporal, SWAT Entry Team member, Criminal Investigator, Narcotics Investigator, and Task Force Officer with the U.S. Marshals Service.

Peter has received specialized training in numerous investigative disciplines, including polygraph examination, digital forensics, homicide investigations, forensic pathology, clandestine grave recovery, child forensic interviewing, narcotics and clandestine laboratory investigations, statement analysis, kinesic interviewing, and advanced interview and interrogation techniques.

Peter has approximately five and a half years of experience as a polygraph examiner and is a graduate of The Polygraph Institute in San Antonio, TX (2020). 

Peter's work has been recognized through multiple agency awards, including CIT Officer of the Year (2012), Operations Employee of the Year (2017), Investigator of the Year (2018, 2023, 2025), and Employee of the Year – Personal Achievement (2020).

In 2025, Peter became a member of the Colorado Association of Polygraph Examiners (CAPE) and shortly thereafter volunteered to serve as Vice President – Law Enforcement. In this role, he is committed to promoting ethical standards, supporting research and education, advocating for the polygraph profession, fostering professional collaboration, and protecting the public interest.