In a recent development that has stirred curiosity and conversation in the Denver community, Joel Fitzgerald is no longer occupying the post of the Chief of the Regional Transportation District (RTD) police force. The news was confirmed on Friday afternoon, marking the end of Fitzgerald's tenure that spanned a full two years. According to FOX31, Fitzgerald had been on leave since July, though the specifics surrounding the leave were not disclosed by RTD.
The transit authority has remained tight-lipped, offering no comments on the reasoning behind Fitzgerald's departure. This silence has been the source of speculation and a lack of clarity among the public and the press. However, in a brief statement, RTD expressed gratitude to Fitzgerald for his service over the past two years, as detailed by FOX31.
Denver7 provided additional insights into this unfolding situation. They highlighted that Fitzgerald's leave commenced on July 1 and was not publicized for several weeks. The cause for the leave was labeled a "personnel matter" by RTD leadership. Despite pressing for details, Denver7's investigative team was met with elusive responses. Bobby Dishell, a board member of RTD stated, as per Denver7, "the Chief is innocent until proven otherwise," thus adding another layer of mystery to the circumstances of the leave. This sentiment was echoed by Fitzgerald himself, who told Denver7, "I can't say anything right now, but there will be a day when we can talk."
During his tenure as police chief, Fitzgerald oversaw several improvements to RTD's security protocol, including the installation of live cameras on buses, increased staffing, and the implementation of round-the-clock officer patrols, as obtained by 9NEWS. Despite his departure, the tactics established under his leadership remain in place, continuing to shape the RTD's approach to public safety.
