Al Gardner, Mayor Mike Johnston’s second-in-command, is poised to become the new head of the city’s Department of Public Safety.

Johnston announced Gardner’s nomination on Thursday. If approved by Denver City Council, Gardner would lead Denver’s police, fire and sheriff’s departments, as well as the city’s 911 center and jails.

The position was vacated by Armando Saldate in July, who left to become the head of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Coincidentally, Gardner succeeded Saldate as Denver Deputy Mayor when Saldate left that position earlier this year.

Once a mayoral candidate in the election that Johnston eventually won, Gardner has served as the head of Denver’s Department of General Services since November 2023. As the current deputy mayor, his job is to take charge of the c

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