The City of Fort Collins Police Department selected Jeffery Swoboda as the new police chief. Swoboda’s first day is June 4.

The selection process began when Police Chief John Hutto resigned on May 12, 2017. Retired Aurora Police Chief Terry Jones took over as Interim Chief May 13. Jones will continue to serve until Swoboda starts this summer. 

During the selection process, Swoboda was a front runner. He spent two and a half years serving as Police Chief in Elgin, IL. In a news release, Swoboda spoke highly of his new position in Fort Collins. 

“I am very excited and humbled to be chosen as the Fort Collins Police Chief,” said Chief Swoboda in the release. “I am looking forward to working with the community and the highly committed staff to reach the clearly stated goal of making Fort Collins the safest city in the country.”

The interview process was extensive. City Manager Darin Atteberry commented on the amount of time spent with Swoboda, vetting him for the position. 

“In approximately 20 meetings with his Elgin Police Department colleagues, representatives from city hall, the mayor, city manager, the media, community organizations and neighborhood groups, I learned about his commitment to service, his passion for excellence and his ability to hold all to a high level of accountability” Atteberry said in the release. 

Atteberry has been helping the City find the next Chief. 

“I am thrilled to offer this position to Chief Swoboda, as it is clear he is the top candidate for Fort Collins,” Atteberry said.

Collegian reporter Meagan Stackpool can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @meaganstackpool.