Paul Pazen sworn in as chief

First changes to be announced Thursday morning

“I stand on the shoulders of those who’ve gone before me.”

Paul Pazan, Denver Police Department Chief

Unifier.

That’s the one word Mayor Michael Hancock used Monday to describe Denver’s new police chief, Paul Pazen.

“There’s no question this great man we’re about to swear in as the chief of police is a unifier,” Hancock said. “A unifier in the department. A unifier in the community.”

Pazen, 47, was chosen from a pool of five finalists, all internal candidates for the job. Pazen previously served as a commander for District 1 in northwest Denver.

Pazen takes over from Robert White, an outsider who was hired six years ago to reform the department. White’s changes often met resistance from the rank-and-file officers, but Pazen has embraced White’s legacy. He also inherits some unfinished projects, including a rewrite of the department’s use-of-force policy and a project to launch a racial data collection program.

Pazen will reveal some of his first changes Thursday morning during a Department of Safety meeting with the media.

Pazen took his oath to serve and protect before a big crowd packed into the rotunda of Denver’s City and County Building. The crowd included former gang members from the city’s north side as well as City Council members, District Attorney Beth McCann, and Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz.

Pazen’s ceremony opened with a Four Directions Prayer from Francisco Gallardo, director of Denver’s Gang Rescue and Support Project. Gallardo prayed for strength, love and compassion in Pazen’s new role.

“You’re never alone,” Gallardo said. “Your ancestors will be there for you.”

Pazen kept his remarks short, saying his selection as chief belonged to his family and fellow officers.

“I stand on the shoulders of those who’ve gone before me,” he said.

After the ceremony, Gallardo said Pazen invited him to offer the Four Directions Prayer. The two men have known each other since they were students at North High School although they took divergent paths to get where they are today.

Pazen joined the Marines while Gallardo got caught up in a gang. In recent years, they have worked together to combat gangs in northwest Denver.

Pazen has the qualities Denver needs in a chief, Gallardo said. He has fresh ideas but respects the department’s history. But most of all, he listens.

“He understands that sometimes the community needs to be heard,” Gallardo said.

Photos by AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post Paul Pazen stands for the color guard during his swearing-in ceremony as the new chief of the Denver Police Department on Monday.

Paul Pazen is sworn in as the new chief of the Denver police by presiding judge Theresa Spahn on Monday.