\u201cHe\u2019s a good leader. He\u2019s level-headed, has good judgment and high standards,\u201d LeBlanc said.<\/p>\n
LeBlanc said the city will advertise for a permanent police chief after New Year\u2019s Day with an aim to hire a permanent police chief in spring. The search will focus on the Rocky Mountain area, he said.<\/p>\n
Brammer brings more than 20 years experience to the position, 13 of which have been in increasing leadership roles within the Durango Police Department.<\/p>\n
Brammer is scheduled to complete a master\u2019s degree in organizational leadership from Colorado State University in May of 2019.<\/p>\n
The search for a new chief will be conducted in-house by city staff.<\/p>\n
Former Chief Kamran Afzal, from Pakistan by way of Springfield, Virginia, started with the Durango Police Department in April 2017. He is departing to be closer to his family on the East Coast.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole thing is because of my personal situation,\u201d he said earlier this month<\/a> from Virginia. \u201cIt\u2019s bittersweet. I\u2019m glad to be back with the family, but I\u2019m sad to leave Durango.\u201d<\/p>\n Afzal replaced Jim Spratlen, who retired in September 2016 after being police chief for five years.<\/p>\n Afzal said he is proudest of the community engagement he initiated in the department. When he started with the agency, Afzal created a community engagement unit with officers dedicated to working with residents.<\/p>\n