Hancock taps Murphy Robinson to oversee Denver police, sheriff and fire departments

He’s floated around city hall for a while now.

Murphy Robinson, executive director of the Denver Department of Public Safety. (Courtesy, City and County of Denver)

Murphy Robinson, executive director of the Denver Department of Public Safety. (Courtesy, City and County of Denver)

staff photos

Murphy Robinson, who has led the Denver Department of Public Safety since Troy Riggs left the post in January, will hold the job permanently, Mayor Michael Hancock announced Wednesday.

Before taking the job, which is to oversee the city’s police, sheriff and fire departments, Robinson was Hancock’s deputy mayor. That post left him responsible for day-to-day operations on Hancock’s behalf. He led Denver’s General Services Department before that and is a former law enforcement officer, according to the city’s press release.

“We are in the midst of a unique time in city and across the globe, and Public Safety staff are at the forefront,” Robinson said in a statement. “I look forward to leading this team as we navigate this new environment and plan for the future.”

Robinson’s predecessor, Riggs, had an aggressive vision for more empathetic policing, but left the city abruptly after a stint of less than two years.

Weird times

Denverite is powered by you. In these weird times, the local vigilance, the local context, the local flavor — it’s powered through your donations. If you’d miss Denverite if it disappeared tomorrow, donate today.

You’re our superpower

Denverite supporters have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. Ready to tell your networks why? Sharing our “About” page with your own personal comments could really help us out.

You’re our superpower

Denverite members have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. Ready to tell your networks why? Sharing our “About” page with your own personal comments could really help us out.