Aspen Police Division Chief of Operations Bill Linn announces retirement

Bill Linn, division chief of operations at the Aspen Police Department, announced his retirement Tuesday following 31 years on the force. 

Linn  began his career in 1994 as an evidence and operations officer, and has worked at nearly every level of the department, “steadily rising through the ranks to assistant chief,” a press release states. 

“He has been instrumental in shaping the department’s policies and culture, from rewriting the entire policy manual to leading the design and construction of the new Aspen Police Department facility, completed in 2018,” the release states. 

Aspen Police Chief Kim Ferber said in the release that Linn represents “modern, progressive policing.”

“His vision, leadership, and commitment to wellness — for both our officers and the community — will have a lasting impact for years to come,” she said in the release. “Bill has been a trusted leader, a mentor, and an innovator, and he leaves the department stronger than when he arrived.”

Among other contributions, Linn launched Aspen Police’s wellness initiative in 2012, which focused on officer health and resilience in its “Fitforce” program.

Linn was also recognized for his exceptional communication skills, his mentorship abilities, “and his role in fostering collaboration and team achievement,” the release states. 

“Bill exuded positivity and genuinely enjoyed his work and serving the community,” Assistant Police Chief Linda Consuegra, who worked alongside Linn for 17 years, wrote in an email, adding, “Bill’s greatest strength was his deep connection with the Aspen community. The relationships he built over the years strengthened our department’s ties with the local population and facilitated collaborations with various groups and organizations.”

Linn’s other career achievements also include teaching at Colorado Mountain College and, before he began working at Aspen Police Department, working as a journalist. 

“I’ve had the privilege to serve alongside an incredible team that has become like family,” Linn said in the release. “Together we’ve honored the past while preparing for the future. I’m excited to see what comes next for the Aspen Police Department. It has been a pleasure serving this community, but now I’m ready to explore life beyond the uniform.”

Linn, the release states, “leaves behind a legacy of leadership, innovation, and commitment to both the department and the Aspen community.”

Skyler Stark-Ragsdale can be reached at 970-429-9152 or email him at sstark-ragsdale@aspentimes.com.