Five finalists selected for chief of Denver Police Department

A Denver Police Department deputy chief and five commanders have been chosen as finalists to become the next chief.

The finalists are: •Deputy Chief David Quinones.

•Cmdr. Michael Calo. •Cmdr. Joseph Montoya. •Cmdr. Paul Pazen. •Cmdr. Ron Saunier. The list, announced Thursday morning by the Denver Department of Safety, was whittled down from 22 applicants.

The five finalists were chosen by a search committee, which met for six hours Wednesday to discuss which candidates they wanted to interview. The committee will forward its recommendations to Mayor Michael Hancock, who is responsible for making the final decision.

When Chief Robert White announced his intentions to retire, Hancock said he would pick the next chief from current or retired Denver police officers who held the rank of lieutenant or higher.