Denver committee advances Al Gardner’s nomination after extended questioning on experience, trust and budget

Al Gardner, the mayor’s nominee to lead Denver’s Department of Safety, was advanced to the full City Council on Nov. 12 after the Health and Safety Committee questioned him at length about his qualifications, trust-building strategy and budget priorities.

Committee chair Daryl Watson opened the hearing and described procedural limits on questioning. Council members called Gardner’s civilian background and lack of law-enforcement, firefighting or legal experience to the fore while also probing how he would work with paramilitary agencies, labor unions and skeptical communities.

Gardner, who has served in volunteer oversight roles and in general services and technology posts, said civilian leadership is intentional and can bring a systemwide perspective. “There is value into ensuring that the person who’s leading our departments…is able to see it from 360,” Gardner said, adding that he has worked with the Civil Service Commission and the Citizens Oversight Board and has spent time “on calls” and visiting fire, sheriff and community-corrections operations.

Several council members said they respected the mayor’s appointment power but expressed reservations. Amanda Sawyer, who pulled the item from consent, said she wanted to ensure Gardner could “build the bridges” required to lead organizations that she described as having cultures in which “respect is earned on the ground.” Gardner responded that he has met with unions and command staff and said, “I will not always agree with you…But what they did tell me…is that we respect that what you tell us will be what it is.”

Council members pressed on concrete priorities Gardner would change. He singled out discipline and budget transparency, saying the executive director should add more voices to decision-making, demystify where money is spent and use data and analysis to inform choices. Gardner said he had quickly worked to understand an approximately $800,000,000 budget covering some 5,200 Department of Safety employees since starting in late August.

Technology and surveillance contracts were also raised. When asked about the city’s agreement with a vendor used for automated license-plate reading, Gardner said his technology background informs how he will evaluate procurement, data protection, retention and an AI policy, and that he plans to work with Technology Services to set clearer frameworks for new tools.

On debates about shifting funding toward prevention programs, Gardner said he did not view that approach as “defunding” police but as resource allocation that must be justified with data. “I want to ensure that we have a strong police force…And I also want to focus on keeping people out of this pipeline altogether,” he said.

Committee members also raised broader concerns about communication and trust: several speakers cited resignations from oversight boards, vacancy and participation problems in commissions, and the perception that some departmental decisions had been made without adequate council notice. Gardner acknowledged those concerns and said he intends to improve two-way communication with council and the community.

After the questioning period, Council member Amanda Sawyer moved to approve advancing the nomination to the full council; a second was voiced and the committee advanced the item by acclamation (thumbs-up), with the chair saying the item will be scheduled for action next week.

Next steps: The full Denver City Council is expected to consider the mayoral appointment of Al Gardner at its upcoming floor session; the committee did not take a final confirmation vote at this meeting.