Denver Mayor Appoints New Safety Manager

DENVER (AP) - The former head of the Denver public defender's office has been named as the city's new safety manager.

The Denver Post reports that Charley Garcia will replace Mary Malatesta, who is resigning for personal reasons. Her last day will be March 16.

Garcia, appointed Monday by Mayor Bill Vidal, will be Denver's fourth safety manager in less than a year. The position is the civilian authority over the police, fire and sheriff's departments.

Ron Perea resigned as safety manager in August after questions about the discipline of officers in a beating case and death of a county jail inmate. The cases are being reviewed.

Perea succeeded Al LaCabe as safety manager last year.

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