New Denver Police Chief Announced

DENVER, CO – A new police chief was announced Thursday for the Denver Police Department. District 1 Commander Paul Pazen was introduced by Mayor Michael Hancock as the city's new top cop at a press conference.

Pazen will replace Chief Robert White, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Pazen, a Denver native and 24-year veteran of the DPD said joining the Denver police department was a "lifelong dream." He has been district commander since 2012, leading a staff of around 15o officers. He also served as a U.S. Marine in the Gulf war.

Pazen, said he would "build on the foundation" of White's work to "rebuild trust in the community." White was hired six years ago to "reform" the department, and has clashed with DPD union leadership.

Pazen said the department would continue White's "proactive" revamping of the DPD use-of-force policy.

"This is power given by the people to the police officers, we need to make sure we are utilizing that power, not abusing the power and maintain the trust in our community," Pazen said. He also said he would commit to making sure officers had proper training in any new policy.

Pazen also said the department would focus on the increase in Denver homicides by continuing to develop a "data-driven" approach with two models under development that he referred to as a "deterrence" model and a "domestic violence evidence" model.

Mayor Hancock described a “robust search process and hearing from the community and our officers,” in the city’s choice to pick Pazen from among the five in-house candidates who were in the running.

“ I trust that he will work to better unify the department, build stronger bridges with the community and hold our officers accountable,” Hancock tweeted.

Pazen credited the determination of his single mother and his grandmother who "raised two young women in the Lincoln Park projects" as inspiration.

Pazen revealed that the mayor had nicknamed him "Smiley" about five years ago.

"I’ve been blessed, I stand of the shoulders of the people who come before me, and I have a positive attitude,” he said.

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