Aurora's new police chief appointment met with criticism from Black leaders

Incoming Aurora police chief Todd Chamberlain has a message for his new community: "Give me a chance."

The big picture: During an introductory press conference Thursday, Chamberlain said he wants to focus on crime, mitigating risk for officers and the public, and serving the nearly 400,000 residents in Colorado's third-largest city.

Why it matters: The new police chief will supervise a department under a state consent decree to improve its policies, and whose lack of consistent leadership has fueled the agency's turmoil.

State of play: Chamberlain will be Aurora's seventh chief over the last five years, per the Sentinel , and replaces the department's interim leader Heather Morris, who decided not to seek the position full time.

Context: Chamberlain most recently worked as a public safety consultant and lecturer at Cal State Los Angeles after spending 34 years as an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, where he retired as commander in 2018.

Yes, but: His appointment by Aurora City Manager Jason Batchelor on Wednesday drew immediate backlash from local leaders, including Black elected officials.

• The criticism stems from a lack of public input, especially as APD faces calls for accountability in the fatal police shooting earlier this year of Kilyn Lewis , an unarmed Black man.

What they're saying: Excluding the community from the decision, "missed a crucial opportunity to heal past traumas and build towards stronger collaboration," between the public and police, Aurora state Democratic Sens. Janet Buckner and Rhonda Fields said in a joint statement Thursday.

• Aurora NAACP president Omar Montgomery and vice president Thomas Mayes in a statement said the lack of public input, "undermines the trust and transparency needed between," Aurora police and the public, per CPR .
• The agency's last permanent chief, Vanessa Wilson, was hired with feedback from community members, including local activists .

Between the lines: Batchelor told reporters on Thursday his decision was made with little public input in order to attract more qualified candidates to apply, adding that a public process can turn off candidates who feel it could jeopardize their current employment.

The intrigue: Attorney General Phil Weiser, who's department oversees APD's consent decree, in a statement Thursday said Aurora should create an independent monitor once its consent decree expires in 2027.

• Batchelor says Aurora will have funding for an independent monitor office in its 2025 city budget. Chamberlain said he supports creating the role.

What's next: Chamberlain's appointment must be confirmed by Aurora City Council, which will vote next Monday.

• He's scheduled to be sworn in Sept. 6.