With close to 30 years of experience in law enforcement, Rafael Gutierrez is exhilarated to start his new role as Louisville’s Chief of Police by the end of May.

“I’m looking forward to working in Louisville and working for Louisville,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez is currently the deputy chief for the support services division at the Greeley Police Department. Besides having almost three decades of experience, he is also a FBI Academy graduate. Gutierrez has been with the Greeley Police Department since 1999. He said that his experience as deputy chief in Greeley has prepared him for his new role, by letting him look at problems through a “bird’s-eye view.”

Gutierrez said that the core responsibilities of a police chief are to manage and oversee the entire operations of the police department, from sworn and nonsworn officers, interdepartmental communications and community relations.

He noted that he will also work closely with the Louisville City Council and the city manager.

He expressed that his position will be one of serving the community, which might always mean law enforcement. He said that as chief, he will set the example for the rest of the department to work with the community.

Gutierrez recognizes that Louisville is a rebuilding community.

“As the chief, it is my job to be present at those conversations (Marshall Fire rebuilding), and to listen to the concerns and try to come up solutions to how those situations can be best managed,” Gutierrez said.He also added that he has disaster management experience. He said he had the “unfortunate opportunity” to respond during the 2013 floods that affected the Front Range and the 2008 tornado that hit Windsor. He said that working those natural disaster events taught him how to better manage the fear and confusion of a community.

“Seeing the chaos that can ensue, you take those lessons and you recognize that you need to communicate a plan. We have to have a solid emergency management plan,” Gutierrez said.

He noted that as chief, he will make relations with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department, Boulder Office of Emergency Management and local municipalities to make disaster management plans. He also wants to communicate the plan with residents to help come up with fail-safe options. He acknowledged that even with emergency push notifications and reverse 911 notifications not everyone will receive it. He wants to work to make sure all residents have a way to be notified during emergency notifications, and find a balance between premature notifications and preventative notifications to residents.

Gutierrez said that with the proper management and assessment, the red flag law can be a beneficial tool. He said that gun violence are often impulsive, so sometimes time helps reduce or get rid of those negative impulses.

He said that with the help of red flag laws, extreme risk protection orders and mental health resources, public safety can be improved.

“Just because I have the authority to take someone’s firearms, I don’t want to force a confrontation. I would rather dialogue or try alternative means,” Gutierrez said.

He said he believes in communication with the subject of an extreme risk protection order, and having them cooperate with law enforcement is always the best option. He added that people still have their due process, right to legal council and right to a fair trial.

Greeley Chief of Police Adam Turk said that his department is going to miss Gutierrez.

“He served the city of Greeley and citizens of Greeley with honor, integrity and respect for 24 years, and I’m grateful for that,” Turk said.

Turk said that Gutierrez is intelligent and experienced. He said his departure will be bittersweet, and that he will be missed but the city of Louisville will benefit.

In a news release from Louisville, City Manager Jeff Durbin said that he is looking forward to Gutierrez coming to the city.

“Rafael competed in a national recruitment for the position with a number of exceptional candidates. After a thorough vetting process, he rose to the top of the candidate pool and we’re excited to have him join the Louisville team,” Durbin said.

Gutierrez said that he is “eager and anxious” to start as Louisville Chief of Police, and he sees great things in the department and intends to strive to make the police department even better. His personal philosophy has always been “service over self.” He expressed excitement over connecting with, working with and serving the Louisville community.