Veteran Colorado lawman John Camper – who has been police chief in Grand Junction since 2010 and before that served with metro Denver’s Lakewood police for 29 years – will be the next boss of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Camper was selected by the state Department of Public Safety, which announced the hiring in a press release today quoting department Executive Director Stan Hilkey:

“We had an exceptionally good field of candidates interview for this important leadership position, and the quality of finalists made this a difficult choice. I’m confident that John’s skills, experience, and leadership style will be an excellent fit for CBI … He is thoughtful, intelligent, and a skilled administrator with experience in complex problem solving. He understands the importance of relationships. And he demonstrates an enormous amount of integrity and ethics.”

Camper brings diverse experience to his new calling, which begins Jan. 1. During his time as a Lakewood cop, the press announcement notes, he served in capacities including “public information officer, crime prevention agent, crimes against children detective, SWAT team hostage negotiator, theft investigations sergeant, internal affairs sergeant, and several assignments as a police commander.” He also has served with a host of law enforcement-related boards and organizations and is incoming president of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police starting next June.

The agency Camper now will lead provides wide-ranging support to Colorado state and local law-enforcement agencies on criminal investigations, forensic and laboratory services, and comprehensive criminal justice data management.