Springs Interim Police Chief Named

Deputy Chief Peter “Pete” Carey was named interim Colorado Springs police chief on Tuesday by Chief of Staff Steve Cox

Carey will serve until a new chief is chosen, following a nationwide search and process which may take between 60 and 90 days. In an exclusive interview with KRDO Newschannel 13, Carey said his appointment takes effect within a week.

“I think I know the job pretty well,” said Carey. “I know the city pretty well. You have to have a high level of trust. I want to have a stabilizing effect on the community and let officers know there are no large-scale changes in the next few months.”

Carey said he learned he got the job after meeting several times last week with Cox and Mayor Steve Bach. The interim chief said he sees no critical needs in the department, and explained what sets him apart from Chief Richard Myers, who announced his retirement last week.

“He had a really great focus on a national level,” said Carey. “My focus is going to be with the city and our police department.”

Carey also said he will decide, after talking with his wife, whether to apply for the permanent chief position.

Carey was named deputy chief in January 2008. Since he joined the Colorado Springs Police Department in 1984, he has been a Master Patrol Officer, field training officer, narcotics detective, and crisis negotiator. Carey has held supervisory positions in the Patrol Bureau; Metro Vice, Narcotics and Intelligence Unit; Training Academy; Specialized Enforcement Unit and Major Crimes Unit.

Cox said, “Chief Carey has many years of policing experience and will be able to lead the organization during this important time of transition.”

This comes after Myers announced that he will be retiring from his position, saying the mayor wants a change of direction. Myers announced his retirement on Oct. 3 and it will go into effect next month. However, Carey said he believes Myers resigned for his own reasons and is not being forced out by Bach.

Deputy Chief Carey holds a Bachelor?s Degree in Business Management from Saint Joseph?s University in Philadelphia and a Master?s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He is a graduate of the 229th Session of the FBI?s National Academy and a 2010 graduate of the Senior Management Institute of Policing.

Carey is married and has four children.