BOULDER, Colo. — Stephen Redfearn was named the next Boulder Police Department police chief on Friday effective immediately.
Redfearn has been a member of the Boulder Police Department (BPD) for three years and has served as interim chief since January.
Boulder's city manager said the decision to promote Redfearn followed a national and competitive search.
“I have watched Steve take on the challenges that face his profession with heart, strategic thinking and a clear understanding that policing needs to change,” said Boulder City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. “I believe he is uniquely positioned as our next chief. Steve understands the importance of establishing deep relationships with the community we all serve, and I am confident he will both lean into the promise of Reimagine Policing and make it a reality.”
Redfearn joined BPD as deputy chief in 2021, after 25 years in policing-related public service.
Redfearn started his career as a cadet and as a 911 dispatcher, including during the shooting at Columbine High School. Redfearn later joined the Aurora Police Department, where he worked for two decades, in a variety of roles from patrol officer to division chief, according to the City of Boulder.
“I am honored to be able to lead the talented officers and employees of the Boulder Police Department as we work collaboratively and pro-actively with our community to make policing equitable and effective in its core mission,” Redfearn said.
“We often think about our role ‘to protect and serve,’ but we also have an opportunity and an obligation to prevent harm," he said. "We’ll do this through a re-evaluation of our policies, best-practices training, a focus on employee well-being, and absolutely, a renewed commitment to engaging with community. That is what policing is about.”
Redfearn served as BPD's interim chief since January after Maris Herold stepped down to take a position with a federal program.
