Boulder Police Chief Greg Testa Announces Retirement

BOULDER, CO — Boulder Police Chief Greg Testa has announced that he will retire after working for the department for 32 years. Testa has served as Boulder Police Chief since 2014.

Testa began his career with the Northglenn Police Department, where he worked three and a half years before joining the Boulder Police Department in 1987. Before he was named police chief, Testa served as a patrol officer, detective, sergeant, commander, deputy chief and interim chief. He served on the State of Colorado Cold Case Oversight Task Force from 2015 through 2018. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, has an undergraduate degree in computer science and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration in Executive Leadership in Criminal Justice.

“Throughout Chief Testa’s career, he has served with honor and integrity,” said Jane Brautigam, Boulder City Manager, in a statement. “His commitment to professionalism, transparency and community service has been a model within the state, and I am very grateful to Greg for his dedication and commitment to transparency in the department. His leadership expanded Boulder’s approach to community policing, accountability and service to all of our community members.”

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During Testa’s tenure as Boulder’s police chief, the department:

• Increased staffing by nine officers and a commander
• Started the EDGE Co-Responder Program with Longmont Police Department and Boulder County Sheriff to support mental health needs on police calls
• Created a citizen advisory panel and moved oversight of the selection of community members for the Professional Standards Review Panel from police to the city manager’s office
• Received state Professional Standards accreditation from the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police
• Launched the first two-week annual summer Police Youth Academy
• Started the Youth Explorer Program
• Implemented Boulder’s Body Worn Camera Program
• Started the Homeless Outreach Team
• Developed a formal Neighborhood Area Policing Program
• Implemented an Employee Peer Support Team
• Integrated the dog licensing program into Police Animal Protection
• Created the Boulder Police Mobile App for police news
• Released the first comprehensive Police Stop Data report
• Was one of the first departments in the state to carry Narcan, and officers have saved an estimated 15 lives

“Boulder is a special place, and it has been an honor to serve this community over the past 32 years,” Testa said in a statement. "From three presidential visits, rallies and protests to reading with kids at the library, community soccer games and daily interactions with community members and colleagues, I am proud of the community partnership that is being built with the department.”

“I want to thank our city manager for her leadership and commitment to our community,” said Testa. “It has been an honor to serve with the dedicated men and women of the Boulder Police Department. They give so much every day to keep our community safe - they are my heroes.”

A deputy police chief will be appointed interim police chief effective Sept. 3, the day that Testa is scheduled to officially retire. The interim chief is anticipated to serve in the role for 10 months to allow the Police Oversight Taskforce to complete its work. Following the taskforce report, a review of community expectations and the needs of the department, BPD will begin the recruitment process. A new police chief is expected to be hired in 2020.