Mayor Michael Hancock announced Thursday the selection of a committee to search for candidates to fill the role of Denver’s independent monitor, the watchdog office for its law enforcement agencies. 

The committee will include Al Gardner, chair of Denver’s Citizen Oversight Board, human resources executive director Karen Niparko, Denver City Councilwoman Jamie Torres of District 3, retired Denver County Court Judge Claudia Jordan and Brian Corr, executive secretary of the Police Review & Advisory Board for the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

“This committee, made up of respected voices in this field, will bring a diverse perspective to finding the next Independent Monitor for our city who will build on the foundations that have made this office a national leader in this work,” Hancock said in a statement. “Finding a dynamic leader who will help to reinforce transparency, accountability and public confidence in our safety departments has never been more critical, but I have every confidence they will find that leader.” 

Gardner and Niparko are appointed according to Denver ordinance, the City Council president chooses a council member to serve on the committee, and the mayor appoints two members, including a current or retired judge and a person with “extensive knowledge of internal police investigations or the monitoring of internal police investigations.” 

Senior Deputy Monitor Gregg Crittenden has served as the as the interim director of the Office of the Independent Monitor since Mitchell’s departure.

“We have heard our Denver community and their strong desire to ensure we have diversity and representation, while re-framing public safety from an anti-racist lens. As we move forward, we must find an authentic leader who will hold our safety departments accountable and provide a voice for all of our communities,” said City Council President Stacie Gilmore in the news release.   

The Office of Human Resources will provide a list of applicants to the committee, which will interview and evaluate candidates. 

The committee is also responsible for a public input process and will provide the mayor up to three finalists. The mayor will appoint the independent monitor from among the final candidates, but can request the committee submit additional candidates if he chooses not to appoint any of them. Hancock’s selection then has to be confirmed by City Council.