In what marks the culmination of a storied career spanning four decades, Deputy Chief Joseph Montoya is bidding farewell to the Denver Police Department. The department took to social media to announce his retirement and to celebrate his 40 years of commitment to public safety and community service. According to the Denver Police Department, Montoya stepped into the role of a police officer in 1984 and has since been a cornerstone of the department, witnessing and adapting to the seismic shifts in law enforcement technology and practice.
Starting as a recruit in the Northglenn Police Department, he quickly became known for his unwavering integrity and sense of justice. Montoya joined the ranks in an era long before the modern tools of law enforcement became prevalent, and his journey saw him rise through the department to take on the role of Deputy Chief. His tenure is noted for leadership that spanned from manual paperwork to the implementation of body cameras and digital reporting. The department’s post acknowledged that Montoya was there before “body cams, GPS, or even email” were part of the law enforcement toolkit, emphasizing his long-standing commitment and ability to effectively transition through major industry changes…