Interim chief of Aurora police will not remain in office

Aurora’s acting police chief has decided not to apply for the permanent position.

Heather Morris informed department staff via email today that she was not considered for the position.

Aurora Police Department

“It has been an honor to serve the men and women of the Aurora Police Department first as Interim Deputy Chief and for the past six months as Interim Chief of Police. I will remain Interim Chief until the next Chief of Police of the Aurora Police Department is sworn in,” Morris wrote. “As the process continues and I have more details and am able to do so, I will share them with the department.”

Morris is the fourth person in just over two years to lead the department after Chief Vanessa Wilson was fired in April 2022. Morris succeeded both former Chief Dan Oates and Art Acevedo in the interim role.

“I am proud of the work our members have accomplished over the past 15 months since I joined this organization,” Morris wrote. “I am also excited about the future, knowing we will continue to build on our successes and finally have a permanent leader!”

The permanent position was only advertised in Aurora on Monday and the application deadline is today at 5 p.m.

The department is currently the subject of a settlement with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office following several high-profile cases, including the killing of Elijah McClain. The department was recently the subject of protests over the killing of unarmed suspect Kilyn Lewis in May.