Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner today announced his retirement effective April 1 after 36 years as a Boulder police officer.   Beckner joined the department in 1978 as a patrol officer, became a detective, sergeant, hostage negotiator, commander, including commander of the SWAT team, and, in 1998, was selected as Boulder’s police chief.

Beckner retiring after 36 years with BPD

Beckner retiring after 36 years with BPD

“Throughout Chief Beckner’s career, he has served with honor and integrity,” said City Manager Jane Brautigam.  “His commitment helped to define the culture of the Boulder Police Department and what our community expects from its public servants. I am very grateful to have had Mark’s counsel and experience as we dealt with community emergencies from wildfires to last year’s enormous flood, and as we worked to make Boulder a safer community. Through his leadership, we have built a strong police department that will continue to serve and protect the community for years to come.”

During Beckner’s tenure as chief, the Police Department opened the Communications Center, implemented the motorcycle traffic unit, received Colorado Accreditation through the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, created the Major Crimes Unit, oversaw the planning and construction of the police training center and firearms range, brought Animal Control Services and Code Enforcement under the department, and worked with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to create, fund, and staff a CBI DNA lab in the Boulder Police Department.

“It has been a privilege and an honor to serve Boulder,” said Beckner. “Over the past 36 years, we’ve covered a lot of ground from riots to Presidential visits, but what I will treasure most is the interactions and support from the community as we faced tragedies and celebrated successes together.   “Boulder has been a very rewarding career,” he said. “I am very appreciative to have served with so many fine men and women who helped build a strong, honorable department. And while it’s difficult to close this final chapter of a long and exciting career in law enforcement, I know that the department is in very capable hands, and I’m looking forward to new opportunities in my future.”

Over the next few weeks, Brautigam will be working with the police and city human resources departments to develop a search process for Boulder’s next police chief.

–CITY–