On November 10, 2026, the Denver Department of Public Safety announced it is looking for a new Director of 9-1-1 Emergency Communications. The position aims to connect residents and visitors to emergency response services and requires a leader with experience in strategic implementation and oversight of advanced emergency communication technologies.
Executive Director Al Gardner II stated that the incoming director will need to strengthen interoperability among various public safety agencies and ensure community-focused emergency communications.
Press Release: City and County of Denver
Published November 10, 2026. Reproduced in full from the City and County of Denver.
Denver Launches Search for Director of 9-1-1 Emergency Communications
Denver, The Denver Department of Public Safety is seeking a strategic, innovative and community-centered public leader for its next Director of 9-1-1 Emergency Communications.
As the primary point of contact for Denver’s public safety ecosystem, Denver 9-1-1 connects residents and visitors to emergency response services across the city.
“Our emergency communications systems are quickly evolving with advancing technology, increased demands, and new data integration,” said Al Gardner II, Executive Director of Denver’s Department of Public Safety. “We are looking for a collaborative executive who will champion our mission to ensure a safe city by building a workforce that is defined by purpose and commitment to innovation within emergency communications.”
“This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of public safety communications across the Denver metro area,” Director Gardner said.
The incoming Director of Denver 9-1-1 will be required to strengthen and advance interoperability between Denver Police, Denver Fire, Denver Health Paramedics, alternative responsive initiatives, and other regional dispatch centers. The candidate will have a proven record of leading strategic implementation and having direct oversight of Next Generation 9-1-1 technology, Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems, Geographic Information System (GIS) integration, radio communications, and implementation of automated technologies that prioritize data privacy and protection.
Denver’s next 9-1-1 Director will need to establish robust performance standards for call-answering times, quality assurance, and dispatch accuracy while leveraging data and community feedback to ensure equity and effective operations.
Denver 9-1-1 employees pride themselves on being community focused and involved. The incoming director will need to ensure they are able to execute detailed community outreach strategies to ensure emergency communications remain known, accessible, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and transparent across all of the communities Denver serves.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications online through the City and County of Denver Careers portal.
