Assistant chief of the Seattle Police Department Nick Metz was selected as the Aurora Police Department chief.
Aurora city council confirmed Metz on Tuesday in 10-0 vote to be next Aurora chief.
Three other candidates were considered for the position in Colorado. The finalists included San Antonio Police Department Assistant Police Chief Jose Bañales, Commerce City Deputy Police Chief Fran Gomez, and Peoria, Arizona, Police Chief Roy Minter Jr.
“I believe that Nick Metz is the right person with the right skills to lead the Aurora Police Department. His extensive experience leading a large organization, serving a complex and diverse community, makes him a unique fit for the Aurora of today and the future," Aurora City Manager Skip Noe said in a news release Thursday morning.
Hired by the Seattle Police Department in August 1983, Metz started as a patrol officer in the downtown corridor and became a sergeant in 1989 before moving to roles in the East Precinct, Internal Investigations and the State Criminal Justice Training Center. As an assistant chief, Metz oversees the homicides, fraud investigation, auto thefts, major crimes and other units.
He was demoted by then-interim Police Chief Jim Pugel in winter 2012.
Metz was promoted again in January 2014 after Pugel was forced out and Harry Bailey became interim chief. Bailey was picked by Mayor Ed Murray, who was elected the previous November and moved Pugel out of his role.
Late last year, Metz was one of the finalists for the Bellevue police chief job but was not selected.
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