Welcome to theCity of AuroraColorado

Todd Chamberlain

Chief of Police

Chief Todd Chamberlain’s career in law enforcement began in November 1984 at the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) where he rose through the ranks and retired as a commander in 2018. As commander, he oversaw roughly 1,800 personnel across six divisions. He subsequently served as Chief of Police for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LASPD). More recently he has worked as a public safety consultant and a university lecturer at California State University Los Angeles.

During his time as Chief of Police with LASPD and during his tenure as a LAPD commander, Chamberlain led and instituted all aspects of a 21st century policing operation including crime reduction, community policing and partnerships, and risk mitigation. He established and oversaw policy and procedures involving the use of force, community engagement, citywide homelessness initiatives, and innovation related to the city’s intervention and prevention programs.

Notably, Chamberlain served as LAPD’s first homelessness coordinator. He developed the Homeless Outreach and Proactive Engagement (HOPE) team which has been emulated throughout the law enforcement community. Chamberlain has been committed to serving diverse communities with a focus on understanding and addressing their unique needs. Throughout his career, he has worked to build bridges of trust and collaboration, ensuring that every voice is heard and respected.

Chris Juul

Deputy Chief

Chris Juul is the deputy chief of the Aurora Police Department, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the entire organization. He was selected as the permanent deputy chief in late 2024.

A native of Kansas City, Mo., Chris began his career in 1994 with the Amarillo, Texas Police Department after earning his degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science from Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. Chris also served with the Burnsville, Minn. Police Department and the Arvada Police Department before joining the Aurora Police Department in 2004.

During his career in Aurora, Chris has served with the SWAT Team, captain of the training academy and as commander of the Special Operations Division. In 2016, Chris facilitated the adoption of a three-tier system for uses of force, which are reviewed by the Force Review Board. Four years later, he created the Force Investigations Unit, which investigates all uses of force by police officers.

Chris is a board member of the Juvenile Assessment Center and the Daniels Fund. He is a graduate of the national Senior Management Institute for Police.

Kevin Barnes

Division Chief - Patrol Division

Kevin Barnes is chief of the Patrol Division, overseeing all patrol and community policing units for Districts 1, 2 and 3, as well as the School Resource Unit. He was named chief of Patrol in 2023.

A Selma, Alabama native, Kevin earned his degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia College of Missouri. He moved to Colorado in 1994, working for about a decade with Colorado's Division of Youth Services. Kevin joined the Aurora Police Department in 2004.

Kevin 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 and 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.

Kevin is a graduate of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association's Supervisor Leadership Institute and the Denver University Public Safety Leadership Program.

Mark Hildebrand

Division Chief - Investigations Division

Mark Hildebrand is chief of the Investigations Division, overseeing the Aurora Police Department's two Major Investigations Sections, General Investigations Section and the Unified Metropolitan Forensic Crime Lab. He was named chief of Investigations in 2021.

Mark joined the Aurora Police Department in 2002 after moving to Colorado from his hometown of Cincinnati. During his career, Mark has served with the SWAT Team, the Field Training Program and the Gang Intervention Unit. He is a past commander of the RAVEN Violent Crime Task Force and the Special Operations Bureau, and a former deputy chair of the agency's Force Review Board.

Mark earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting from the University of Cincinnati and a master's in Organizational Leadership from Fort Hays State University. He is a graduate of Denver University's Public Safety Leadership Program and the national Senior Management Institute for Police.

Chad Cerinich

Division Chief - Special Operations Division

Chad Cerinich is Division Chief of the Special Operations Division, which is comprised Homeland Security Section, Strategic Enforcement Section, Traffic Section, Tactical Response Section and the Reginal Anti-Violence Enforcement Network (RAVEN) of the Aurora Police Department. He was appointed to Division Chief in January 2024.

Chad began his career with the Aurora Police Department in 1990 and has served in a variety of assignments as both an officer and as a supervisor, with the SWAT Team, the Field Training Unit, the Emergency Response Team, Police Area Representatives, Special Operations Bureau and was most recently the Commander of the Internal Investigations Bureau before his appointment.

Chad graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Science in Organization Management. He is also a graduate of the national Senior Management Institute for Police, University of Denver Public Safety Leadership Development Program, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Command Institute, Rocky Mountain Command College and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations program.

Phillip Rathbun

Division Chief - Professional Standards and Training Bureau

Phillip Rathbun is the acting division chief over the Professional Standards and Training Bureau, overseeing the Training Section, as well as the Selection and Policy Section of the Aurora Police Department. The Training and Policy sections are comprised of the Recruiting & Background Unit, Field Training Section, the Electronic Support Section and Organizational Development. Phillip was named division chief in 2024.

Phillip is a Colorado native and joined the Aurora Police Department in 2005. During his career with Aurora, Phillip has served as a member or supervisor of the School Resource Unit, Gang Intervention Unit, Intelligence Unit and as a Police Area Representative. Phillip would go on to serve in leadership roles in both the Aurora Police Academy, Field Training Program and the Unified Forensic Laboratory.

Phillip earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Central State University of Ohio, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He is also a graduate of the Denver University Public Safety Leadership program, FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association trilogy recipient, and Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP). Phillip has served as a member of the Colorado POST Curriculum Committee as a subject matter expert, as well as provided training for the National Association of Field Training Officers.

John Schneebeck

Manager - Business Services Division

John Schneebeck is the manager of the Business Services Division, overseeing the Administrative Services Section, Equipment & Facilities Section, Records Section and the Property & Evidence Section. He joined the Aurora Police Department's executive command staff in 2011.

A Colorado Springs native, John joined the city of Aurora in 2006 as a management analyst with Aurora Water. In 2007, he held the senior management analyst position in the Neighborhood Services Department, providing financial, grant, and budget support, as well as system development for Code Enforcement. Before joining the police department, John returned to Aurora Water as the senior revenue analyst.

John holds a bachelor's degree in Finance and a master's in Business Administration. Both are from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He is a graduate of Leadership in Police Organizations and the national Senior Management Institute for Police.

Michael Gaskill

Commander - District 1

Michael Gaskill is commander of District 1, managing more than 150 officers and professional staff members serving the residents of eleven beats in northwest and southwest Aurora. Michael was appointed commander of District 1 in 2024.

A Lindenhurst, N.Y. native and a U.S. Air Force veteran, Michael began his career with the Aurora Police Department in 2000. He has served in supervisory roles with the Gang Intervention Unit, the Direct Action Response Team, the Major Crime Homicide Unit, the Metro Gang Task Force and most recently as commander of the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network, or RAVEN.

Michael graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Administration. He is also a graduate of the University of Denver Public Safety Leadership Development Program and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations program.

Scott Pendleton

Commander - District 2

Scott Pendleton is commander of District 2, overseeing a team of officers and professional staff members serving residents of eight beats in northeast Aurora. He was named commander of District 2 in 2023.

Scott began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the Laramie County Sheriff’s Department in Cheyenne, Wyo. after earning his bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice and Psychology from the University of Wyoming. Scott moved to Colorado in 1995 to join the Aurora Police Department.

During his career with Aurora, Scott has served in supervisory positions with the Patrol Division, the Field Training Officer program, Police Area Representatives, the General Investigations Section, the Narcotics Unit and the Major Crime Homicide Unit. Prior to his appointment to commander, Scott was the lieutenant of the Tactical Response Section, overseeing SWAT, K9, and the Crisis Response Team, as well as the fugitive unit.

Scott is a graduate of the FBI Law Enforcement Command Leadership Institute, the University of Denver’s Public Safety Leadership Development program and the National Tactical Officer’s Association SWAT Command Decision Making and Leadership Course.

Christopher Poppe

Commander - District 3

Chris Poppe is commander of District 3, managing more than 100 officers and professional staff members serving the residents of eight beats in southeast Aurora. He was named commander of District 3 in 2024.

An Aurora native, Chris graduated from Gateway High School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Metro State University in Denver. He joined the Aurora Police Department in 1996.

Chris dedicated more than a decade of his career serving with the Narcotics Unit. He has held supervisory roles with the Direct Action Response Team, the Crimes Against Children and Internet Crimes Against Children units, the FBI’s Innocence Lost Task Force, the Electronic Support Section and the Investigative Support Section. Prior to his appointment to commander, Chris was the lieutenant of the Strategic Enforcement Section, overseeing the Narcotics Unit, the Gang Investigation Unit, the Gang & Robbery Investigations Team and the Direct Action Response Team.

Chris is a graduate of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations program, the FBI’s Command College and the University of Denver’s Public Safety Leadership Development program.

Matthew Brukbacher

Commander - Special Operations Bureau

Matthew Brukbacher is commander of the Special Operations Bureau, overseeing the Homeland Security, Strategic Enforcement, Traffic and Tactical Response sections of the Aurora Police Department, as well as the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network, or RAVEN. He was named commander of Special Operations in 2024.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Matthew earned a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice in 2000 from Winona State University in Minnesota. He started his law enforcement career with the Aurora Police Department later that same year.

Matthew has served in a variety of positions as an officer and a supervisor in the patrol division, including as a Police Area Representative. In 2009, Matthew volunteered to serve as a squad leader with the Emergency Response Team, a position he held until 2019 when he was named deputy commander and the first full-time member of the unit. He became commander of the Emergency Response Team a year later when he was promoted to lieutenant.

Due to his many years of service to the Emergency Response Team, Matthew is highly regarded in the Denver metropolitan area as a subject matter expert in crowd control operations.

Patrick Shaker

Commander - Professional Standards and Training Bureau

Patrick Shaker is commander of the Professional Standards and Training Bureau. In this role, he oversees the Aurora Police Department's Training Section and Policy and Selection Section. He was named commander of PSS in 2024.

Patrick is a native of rural Wisconsin. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Winona State University prior to starting his career with the Aurora Police Department in November 2001. During his career, Patrick has served in a variety of positions including patrol, internal affairs, community policing and problem solving as a Police Area Representative, proactive policing with the bicycle unit, and emergency response team operations.

Colleen Delena

Commander - Internal Investigations Bureau

Colleen Delena is commander of the Internal Investigations Bureau, which is comprised of the Internal Affairs Unit and Force Investigations Unit of the Aurora Police Department. Colleen was appointed to commander in October 2024.

A native of Arizona, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, and has been a member of the Aurora Police Department since 2003. She has served in patrol, recruiting, academy, and in-service training and has been fortunate to supervise both sworn and professional staff units, including patrol, academy, and property and evidence/impound.

Colleen is a graduate of the Denver University Public Safety Leadership program, the Force Science Institute and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations program. She is also a trilogy recipient from the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.

Deputy Commanders and Bureau Captains

Captain Sam McGhee
District 1 Deputy Commander


District 2 Deputy Commander - Vacant


Lieutenant Jake Stull
District 3 Deputy Commander


Captain Terry Brown
Investigations Section


Vacant
Organizational Development 


Captain Marc Paolino
Investigations Bureau


Captain Michael Hanifin
Focused Deterrence & Community Engagement


Captain Jad Lanigan
Technical Services Bureau