(Aug. 31, 2023) – Aurora Police Department Chief Art Acevedo announced Thursday the appointment of Kevin Barnes to division chief.
“Kevin is a leader who commands great respect and support throughout our organization and will bring a high level of energy and commitment to his new role,” said Acevedo during a pinning ceremony Thursday at Aurora Police Department Headquarters. “Anyone who knows Kevin knows he’ll never ask you to do something he’s not willing to do himself, and I think that’s a strong leadership quality that will benefit our department.”
Barnes was previously commander of District 1 Patrol. Prior to that assignment, Barnes was commander of the Special Operations Bureau where he oversaw the Narcotics Unit, SWAT Team, K9 Unit and the Fugitive Apprehension and Surveillance Team.
A Selma, Ala.-native, Barnes earned his degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia College of Missouri. He moved to Colorado in 1993, working for nearly a decade in youth counseling in the private sector and with Colorado’s Division of Youth Services.
Barnes joined the Aurora Police Department in 2004. He has spent most of his career in Aurora with the Special Operations Bureau, including six years as a narcotics investigator and more than five years as a street-level supervisor, as well as an assistant commanding officer of the SWAT Team. He was instrumental in the creation of the Direct Action Response Team, which specializes in investigating violent crimes and motor vehicle thefts.
Barnes’ command goes into effect Saturday. He will oversee the Aurora Police Department’s Patrol Division.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095