Jeffrey Swoboda was formally sworn in as the Fort Collins Chief of Police on Tuesday, June 20, after serving in the position since June 4.

The ceremony represented the culmination of a year-long search for a new chief of police after former chief John Hutto resigned, City Manager Darin Atteberry said.

Swoboda, formerly the chief of police for Elgin, IL., said he is very excited and humbled to be chosen as the Fort Collins police chief in a press release issued by the City. 

“What I kept hearing the city managers say is that local government can be fun, super effective, and do great things,” Swoboda said during the ceremony. “That’s what I took from the very beginning, and that’s why I really looked forward to coming here.”

Atteberry said when he and Deputy Chief Greg Yeager visited Elgin during the interview process, they were told Swoboda was highly competent.

“We also heard ‘please don’t take him,’” Atteberry said.

 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,”

Chief of Police Jeffrey Swodoba.

The selection process began when Police Chief John Hutto resigned amid what he cited as “significant challenges” on May 12, 2017. Retired Aurora Police Chief Terry Jones then took over as interim chief May 13. Swoboda was officially selected in April, after being a front-runner during the extensive selection process, according to Atteberry. 

Swoboda officially began working in the position earlier in June, with an annual salary of $192,000, according to a press release from the City.

Swoboda said he aims to be open and accessible to the community. He also emphasized humility and said he wants officers to realize that, despite their position, they are no smarter than anyone else.

“We can’t be successful without the communities input (and) without the community supporting us,” Swoboda said.

Swoboda also said he supports the Fort Collins Police Department recruitment department’s policy to hire for character and train police officers later.

Among those in attendance were a number of Swoboda’s family members, Mayor Wade Troxell, the city council and members of the FCPD and other local agencies. 

 “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,” Swodoba said.

Ravyn Cullor can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @RCullor99.