GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The City of Grand Junction is hosting an event for the two finalists for Chief of Police this week.

Previously, the city had three finalists, but one candidate withdrew his application. The two final candidates remaining include Matt Smith, Interim Chief of Police for the City of Grand Junction, and Jim Hughes, former Chief of Police for the City of Maricopa, Arizona.

Candidates

Smith has been with the Grand Junction Police Department since 1999. He has worked in operations and in services and was recently appointed to interim Chief of Police in September 2022. For the last 3 years, Smith has been a deputy chief for the GJPD overseeing both the operations division as well as the services division. Smith attended Colorado Technical University and obtained a degree in Criminal Justice. Smith is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the 58th session of Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police. Smith also attended the National Tactical Officers Association SWAT Command Decision-Making and Leadership course.

Jim Hughes is a veteran law enforcement leader. He served for 10 years as the Chief of Police for the City of Maricopa Police Department in Maricopa, Arizona. During his time in Maricopa, Hughes oversaw 102 employees, 76 of whom were sworn. Hughes strengthened mental health programs through a partnership to bring a 24/7 mobile crisis team to Maricopa and introduced a 911 mental health call diversion program. Hughes received a degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy

The Event

The City of Grand Junction is hosting an event for the candidates this week.

The reception takes place on Thursday, January 5 from 4:30 – 6 p.m. at the Avalon Theater in the Mezzanine on 645 Main Street.

Community members in attendance will have a chance to meet the city’s candidates in its national search for a new Chief of Police and will be asked to complete comment cards for each candidate.