Public Safety Chief

Public Safety Chief: Zach Ardis
(303) 651-8555

About Public Safety Chief Ardis

Public Safety Chief Zach Ardis has served the City of Commerce, Ga., as Chief of Police since 2016, and in August 2020 was appointed Executive Director of Policy, Planning, and Public Safety. He has overseen the police department, fire department, planning and zoning, building department, code enforcement, animal control, and city vehicle maintenance shop. Prior to working in Commerce, Ardis advanced through the ranks over a 19-year career with the City of Douglasville Police Department in the greater Atlanta metro area, where he supervised the Criminal Investigations Division, Uniformed Patrol Division, and the Administrative Division.

One of the strengths Ardis developed during his tenure in the smaller community of Commerce was identifying and connecting with the community as a whole, and challenging the status quo when it didn’t serve community members equitably. His focus on engaging with resident’s side-by-side to understand their needs and how to best serve are values he intends to make central to his approach in Longmont. Ardis also works as a volunteer firefighter in his community and has completed his Firefighter I certification. He is committed to building internal and external relationships that focus on reliable customer service for all.

Ardis holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University and a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of West Georgia. He is a graduate of the Georgia Command College and the FBI National Academy Session 254. He holds a Certified Public Manager Certificate from the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, and memberships with the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the FBI National Academy Association. He is a member of the American Academy of Certified Public Managers and previously served on the Board of Directors for CASA for Douglas County and Lanier Tech Criminal Justice Advisement Panel.

Responsibilities of the Public Safety Chief

The Public Safety Chief is responsible for the overall direction of the Department of Public Safety, which includes the services provided out of the Public Safety Chief’s Office as well as the department’s three major divisions: Police Services, Fire Services, and Support Services.

The Public Safety Chief ensures that all employees comply with mandated federal and state laws, municipal ordinances, Colorado POST standards (police) and National Fire Protection Association Codes and Standards.

The Public Safety Chief provides oversight and direction for services provided out of his office.  This service ensures that all Public Safety Department divisions, sections, units, offices and teams are appropriately responsive to our community and that our employees are serving within the context of all six of the initiatives in the Focus on Longmont Plan.

Areas of public safety that fall under his office:

• Professional Standards Unit (PSU):

  The Professional Standards Unit (PSU) is an investigative and administrative staff unit primarily responsible for ensuring the integrity of the department. The PSU Sergeant focuses on matters of alleged violations or misconduct by members of the Department of Public Safety, promising impartial investigation of complaints, facilitating prompt and just disciplinary action, and identifying organizational conditions, which may contribute to misconduct, exposure to liability or poor efficiency. Reporting directly to the Public Safety Chief, PSU has full authority to conduct investigations without interference from any member. PSU is also responsible for policy manual updates, as well as working with the commendation process for department members. To reach PSU to relay a complaint or a commendation about a member of the Department of Public Safety, please email  or call (303) 651-8537.

• Public Safety Outreach: Administers the department’s public relations and communication strategies, including the use of social media. Provides oversight for community outreach and programming including Citizen Academy, event participation and support and placement of public safety volunteers who provide a wide variety of services to the department including student interns, police explorers, Front Range Chaplains, Citizen Volunteer Patrol and Victim Advocates. 
  Public Safety Outreach . Manager Robin Ericson . 303-651-8424

• Office of Emergency Management (OEM)The Office of Emergency Management works with local, government, state, federal, and volunteer organizations to provide resources and expertise through the four phases of emergency management: preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation.
  Office of Emergency Management . Manager Deon Pfenning . (303)651-8438.

• Public Safety Divisions: Fire Services, Police Services, and Collaborative Services Chief’s also report to the Public Safety Chief.

For additional information please email or call (303) 651-8533.