Randall Aragon New Police Chief in Center, Colorado

Randall Aragon has been appointed as the new police chief of Center, Colorado, bringing a wealth of experience and a commitment to community-focused policing.

Aragon's extensive career spans over three decades, including leadership roles in various departments across the country. His tenure as police chief in Fairbanks, Alaska, and La Marque, Texas, has equipped him with a diverse skill set tailored to the unique needs of small-town communities.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Aragon stated, "This is my last job. I call it my last rodeo. I have been a chief for 32 years in many different locations including Alaska. I have been with seven or eight different departments, and every department I have stayed with for about 3 to 6 years and then I would move on to the next challenge. I want to serve 3, 4, or 5 years here. I love being a leader, I love being in law enforcement. I really enjoy it. I am hoping to do some good things here. I want to make good things happen for the city that I work in, for my town and for my community. I am a big believer in community policing. We don’t have that here, and I want to get it started here. It’s basically where officers take over in certain areas in the community."

Aragon's approach emphasizes a phased integration of his strategies. He plans to spend the initial 90 days assessing the town's specific needs before implementing changes. "I don’t want to make any sudden changes at all unless it’s an emergency. My job is to look, listen, and see what is going on around me. I then take my findings to the city manager, and I will speak to Cole about that. I will tell Cole this is my assessment of what’s going on here, these are the issues that I have, and these are my recommendations."

His leadership philosophy is rooted in four key principles: felt presence, order maintenance, problem-solving, and law enforcement. Aragon believes that a visible and engaged police force fosters mutual trust and effective crime control strategies within the community.

Aragon is also committed to mentoring future leaders within the department, ensuring a seamless transition upon his retirement. "I want to make good things happen for the city that I work in, for my town and for my community. I am a big believer in community policing. We don’t have that here, and I want to get it started here. It’s basically where officers take over in certain areas in the community."

Residents of Center can anticipate a collaborative and proactive approach to policing under Chief Aragon's leadership, aimed at enhancing safety and fostering a stronger bond between the police department and the community.