PRESS RELEASE
City Seeking Community Input to Recruit Next Aspen Police Chief
Survey Closes October 3, 2022
Contacts:
Sara Ott, Aspen City Manager, 1-970-230-2692, sara.ott@aspen.gov
Jami McMannes, Communications Manager, City of Aspen, 1-970-765-4752, jami.mcmannes@aspen.gov
Aspen, Colo. – September 21, 2022 – The City of Aspen is launching a recruitment process to find and select the next City of Aspen Chief of Police and is inviting community members to provide their input. Participants may complete a brief survey and provide comments online at aspen.gov. The survey seeks public feedback about the skills and characteristics that are considered valuable in candidates applying for the selection process. The survey is currently open and will close on October 3, 2022.
Community feedback collected through this process will be used by the City of Aspen’s city manager and recruiter to identify candidates, select a preferred candidate, and establish priorities for the next chief of police.
“The Aspen Police Department is known for its compassionate policing activities, in partnership with the community,” said Sara Ott, Aspen City Manager. “I am looking forward to finding the best candidate for Aspen who can continue this community-minded focus in our law enforcement agency.”
In accordance with the City of Aspen Charter, the city manager selects and supervises the chief of police, and Aspen City Council confirms the city manager’s appointment.
Background
Chief Richard Pryor will retire in December 2022 after 29 years of service with the Aspen Police Department, including 15 years as the Chief of Police.
The City of Aspen hired Strategic Government Resources to assist in recruiting and screening candidates and supporting the Aspen Police Department and the city manager in selecting the best candidate for the community. In addition to the survey, the community will be invited to meet the selected finalists.
The Aspen Police Department was established in the 1880s. Known for its community connection, warm approach, and progressive focus on people, the Aspen Police Department is a premier mountain town law enforcement agency.
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