Evans Police Department Announces Randall Darlin as new Chief

Evans City Manager Cody R. Sims is excited to announce Randall L. Darlin as the new Chief of Police following an extensive search. Chief Darlin will officially begin his tenure with the City of Evans Police Department on Monday, July 14, 2025.

“I am deeply excited for Chief Darlin to begin his tenure with the Evans Police Department. During the recruitment period, we received interest from 34 candidates from across the United States, many of whom had very impressive qualifications and experience. I believe Chief Darlin’s leadership will be transformational for the Evans Police Department and will push us all to be better public servants,” said Sims. 

Incoming Chief Darlin brings over 31 years of law enforcement experience including 13 years in executive leadership roles with the Chicago (Ill.) and Northglenn (Colo.) Police Departments. Darlin holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Juris Doctor degree with Cum Laude honors from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, is a licensed attorney in the State of Illinois, and is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police.

Over the course of his career, Darlin has developed and implemented multiple strategies to reduce serious crime and improve public safety. With experience in both a very large and medium sized municipality, Darlin has encountered an enormous amount of complex and dangerous situations, learned new and innovative approaches and demonstrated successful implementation of crime-reduction techniques. 

“I’m super excited for this opportunity. In the process I was able to learn that the City of Evans has an incredibly dedicated leadership team, we are going to work with the leadership team to make the Police Department a model agency for policing in Colorado,” Chief Darlin said on Friday. 

Darlin explained that he was attracted to the City of Evans as smaller communities offer the opportunity for the department to make a larger direct impact on the lives of external stakeholders. Community engagement, Darlin said, is the cornerstone of policing and Evans, as a relatively smaller city, provides that opportunity. Darlin said he is eager to interact directly with members of the Evans community, listen to their concerns and build a productive, long-lasting partnership between the police department and the Evans community. 

Ensuring the Evans Police Department is adequately staffed and has the resources needed to fulfill his vision will be a primary focus from the very beginning, Darlin said. It is no secret that recruitment and retention of police officers has been a challenge the last five or so year, he explained, adding that it is a nationwide problem. While admitting there are no easy answers or quick fixes to the challenge this presents a police department, Darlin said that department policies and procedures are aligned with national best practices and that each member of the staff, recruits, sworn officers and the civilian staff, have the tools available for professional growth and development will be a strong first step. 

Darlin stressed that accountability – to themselves, the community and the profession at large – will be a primary strategic aim. Throughout his career, Darlin has had a desire to serve as a police chief. Much of his professional development has been pursued with that goal in mind. Earning a law degree from a prestigious university and passing the Illinois Bar were key components. 

Darlin stated that while the practical knowledge on topics of criminal justice, the legal process, the functioning of the judicial system were important skills to learn through his legal studies, developing the knowledge and ability on how best to examine situations and evaluate problems from both, or multiple, sides, was perhaps the biggest benefit to his career as a police officer. 

On the lighter side, Darlin said that his favorite kind of doughnuts are peanut doughnuts but said, with a chuckle, he has never eaten a doughnut while on duty because of the stereotype that exists.