Durango, CO – City Manager Ron LeBlanc has announced his selection for Chief of Police.  David Felice, who was most recently with the Colorado Springs Police Department, has accepted the position.

As directed by the City Charter, the next step in the process is confirmation by the City Council.  City Council will consider the confirmation on Monday, June 16, at the regular City Council meeting.  Once confirmed, the start date is anticipated to be July 7.  The Police Chief position was vacated when Al Bell retired on April 5, after a 37-year career in law enforcement and 14 years as Chief with the Durango Police Department. 

Felice has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Leo College in Hampton, VA, and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.  He is a graduate of Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy and Southwest Command College.  Felice was most recently the Deputy Chief of Police in the Patrol Operations Bureau in Colorado Springs.  He has been in law enforcement in the Colorado Springs Police Department since 1980.

 “The Chief of Police is a critically important position,” commented City Manager Ron LeBlanc.  “The Chief must be able to balance the community standards with fair and impartial application of the law.  I believe David possesses the leadership qualities to maintain the high standards in our Police Department established by former Chief Al Bell.  He also exhibits the command presence to instill community confidence in the Department.”

Felice was selected from among 65 applicants for the position.  Four applicants went through an extensive assessment center process.  The assessment center included an informal meet and greet, several scenario exercises, interview panels and an interview with the City Manager and Human Resources Manager.  One of the interview panels involved members of the community and one of the exercises involved high school students. 

“I am honored and humbled to be selected for the position,” commented David Felice.  “I am looking forward to working in such a great police department and serving the Durango community.”

Felice is a member of many professional organizations such as: Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, FBI – Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Police Executive Research Forum.  He has past service as a Board member for the Pikes Peak Behavioral Health Group, United Way Vision Council, and the El Paso – Teller County Enhanced 911 Authority.