• Video embedded from the Coloradoan website.

The city of Elgin and the city of Fort Collins, CO, have announced that Elgin Police Chief Jeffrey Swoboda will be the new Fort Collins police chief, starting in June.

Fort Collins officials made the announcement in an April 5 news release.

Elgin Police Chief Jeffrey Swoboda

“I am thrilled to offer this position to Chief Swoboda, as it is clear he is the top candidate for Fort Collins,” said Fort Collins City Manager Darin Atteberry. “In approximately 20 meetings with his Elgin Police Department colleagues, representatives from city hall, the mayor, city manager, the media, community organizations and neighborhood groups, I learned about his commitment to service, his passion for excellence and his ability to hold all to a high level of accountability.”

In the news release, Swoboda said he is “very excited and humbled to be chosen.”

“I am looking forward to working with the community and the highly committed staff to reach the clearly stated goal of making Fort Collins the safest city in the country,” he said.

Swoboda at a recent community event. (CREDIT: Elgin Police Department Facebook page)

Swoboda’s employment is contingent until all post offer assessments are complete. His anticipated start date in Fort Collins is June 4, with an annual salary of $192,000.

The search for a new chief follows the resignation of former Fort Collins Police Chief John Hutto on May 12, 2017. Retired Aurora Police Chief Terry Jones has been serving as the interim chief there.

Swoboda has served the Elgin Police Department since 1992. He was sworn in as chief in 2016.

In Elgin, the announcement came on the Elgin Police Department Facebook page.

“We congratulate Chief Swoboda on accepting the police chief position in Fort Collins, CO,” the post said. “Their gain will be our loss. He will definitely be missed by the community — and by members of our department. It’s always bittersweet when someone moves on. This is no exception. We’re happy for you, Chief!”

Swoboda had been identified as the top candidate for the job on March 9, but the official announcement was delayed following the March 12 incident in which DeCynthia Clements, 34, was fatally shot by an Elgin police officer. The incident remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police.

Fort Collins is the fourth largest city in Colorado, with a population of 70,000.