Aurora Mayor Wishes Police Chief Oates Well
AURORA, Colo (CBS4) – Aurora's Mayor Steve Hogan says the city will miss having Dan Oates as police chief.
Hogan told CBS4 on Wednesday morning that he will soon begin the process of looking for a new chief after Oates was picked on Tuesday to be the police chief in Miami Beach.
According to Miami Beach Mayor Phillip Levine, Oates was selected as the next chief by the city manager there.
Oates and Hogan were both in office when the Aurora movie theater shooting happened 2012 and both provided leadership and guidance during what was a very difficult time for the community. Twelve people were killed and 70 more were hurt.
"I wish Chief Oates well in this next phase of his career," Hogan said. "He brought a professionalism to the Aurora Police Department, he was well respected among his fellow chiefs in the state, and he was certainly the right guy to be where he was on July 20, 2012."
Oates is expected to fly into South Florida this week and begin meeting with Miami Beach commissioners who still must approve the manager's choice. Levine said the selection could be ratified as early as April 30 when the commission is scheduled to meet.
Oates has been Aurora's chief since 2005. He began his career with the New York City Police Department and spent 21 years there.
He went on to serve as Chief in Ann Arbor, Mich., before taking the Aurora chief's job.
Oates has a law degree and oversees a department of 642 sworn officers with 778 total employees.
"Aurora will miss his service, as will I. Miami will be getting a seasoned leader for their department," Hogan said.
Aurora police said on Wednesday that Oates does not plan to make any public comments about his job status until the Miami Beach commissioners hold their meeting.
