The Search for Aurora's Public Safety Accountability Manager
Following the Aurora City Council’s unanimous decision in June 2026 to establish the Office of Public Safety Accountability (OPSA), the city of Aurora is preparing to recruit the manager who will lead this new, independent office as the city’s consent decree concludes.
OPSA will operate independently to strengthen transparency, accountability and public trust in Aurora’s public safety systems. The office will report administratively to the Aurora city manager and functionally to the Public Safety, Courts & Civil Service Policy Committee. The Public Safety Accountability Manager will have broad oversight authority across public safety functions, including council appointees, departments, boards, agencies and programs, such as police, fire, 911 and detention. Read more about the Office of Public Safety Accountability.
The city of Aurora is partnering with CPS HR Consulting to lead the national recruitment for the Public Safety Accountability Manager. This includes developing the job brochure, posting the position in several job boards, marketing the position, screening candidates, coordinating candidate review and providing professional guidance throughout the process.
Community Engagement Overview
To ensure meaningful community involvement throughout the recruitment process, the city will execute several community engagement efforts:
- Public Safety Accountability Manager Advisory Committee
A community advisory group will be formed to support city management during the recruitment process. The committee will review candidate materials, provide input on selection considerations and help ensure the process reflects community priorities. Members will be selected by the city manager and will be listed on this page once finalized. - Community Survey
An online survey will gather resident input on the qualities, leadership traits, and considerations that should guide candidate selection. Feedback will help shape the screening process and will inform the search review committee’s recommendations. See survey below. - Public Meet‑and‑Greet with Finalists
Residents and community members will have the opportunity to meet finalist candidates, ask questions and share feedback before the final hiring decision is made. Event details will be posted once scheduled.
Additional materials, such as the list of committee members and key dates, will be added to this page as they become available.
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City begins recruitment process for manager of Office of Public Safety Accountability
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The city of Aurora is looking for a leader to oversee its Office of Public Safety Accountability, an independent division dedicated to continuous improvement across all the city’s public safety agencies.
The recruitment process includes ample opportunity for public engagement and feedback. A community survey is now available online at EngageAurora.org/AccountabilityManager and features open-ended questions about what community members are looking for in a Public Safety Accountability Manager. The job application opens on Monday, Aug. 24.
The city of Aurora is working with CPS HR Consulting for the initial recruitment process, with support and coordination from the city’s Human Resources team.
The Public Safety Accountability Manager is a civilian position meant to strengthen transparency, accountability and public confidence in Aurora’s public safety agencies and services. The position will monitor and review complaint investigations, critical incidents, public safety policies and systemic trends involving sworn public safety personnel.
The position, established by Ordinance 2026-27, is meant to continue many of the functions established under the consent decree the city entered with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office in 2021. Aurora remains under the consent decree, with most of its mandates now in substantial compliance.
“Our plans to create this office and fill this position began in 2021 before the city entered the consent decree,” Aurora City Manager Jason Batchelor said. “This is the natural next step in our commitment to continuous improvement. The Office of Public Safety Accountability is designed to integrate seamlessly with the Independent Consent Decree Monitor whose invaluable service to the city is expected to conclude in the next year.”
Once hired, the Public Safety Accountability Manager shall have the ability to hire a full-time employee to assist with the work outlined in the ordinance.
Arapahoe County District Court must grant any requests from the Independent Consent Decree Monitor to conclude the consent decree process pursuant to the agreement reached between the city and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office in 2021. An estimated termination date is not yet certain.
