QUALIFICATIONS
Hi, I'm Brian Kozak
 Briefing the media |  Gun slingers and Brian's friend, Joe Farrow (CHP Commissioner) |
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 Groundbreaking the new PD |  Brian with his daughter |
 Launching the DUI Taskforce |  Brian is provided a sabre by the honor guard |
 Blasting the way for the new PD |  Brian and Sgt. Gay |
 Brian and Sgt. Gay having fun |  Down to business |
 Avon, CO Chief of Police |  Brian helping Alf give money away |
 Respecting the fallen |  Brian with his granddaughter |
 Brian and his hero |
Leadership
to Inspire Excellence
(See my leadership videos at bottom of this page)
Residents of Cheyenne know Brian to be a trusted leader who engaged the community and inspired the members of the Cheyenne Police Department (CPD) to become leaders in public safety. When Brian took the helm, the agency had very similar issues currently plaguing the sheriff’s department. However, you witnessed CPD become community focused, goal orientated and accountable (as highlighted in annual reports). This occurred because Brian knows how to make the job fun while building a culture that inspires employees to do better.
Prior to coming to Cheyenne, Brian was the Chief of Police for the ski resort town of Avon, Colorado. He was hired by Avon to improve the culture and morale within the agency. Today, the Avon Police Department is one of the best agencies in Colorado. Avon PD is nationally accredited and received a community policing award by the International Association of Chiefs of Police due to community engagement programs Brian helped to launch.
Prior to Avon, Brian retired from the Mesa, AZ Police Department after 22 years of service. His units received many awards for outstanding performance. His last assignment was to improve detention officer morale and efficiency of the Mesa City Jail, which served a population of 460,000 residents (largest city and only accredited jail in Arizona). Brian became a member of the American Jail Association and completed jail management certification courses. He instituted new programs, which ended the high turnover of employees, and saved the city millions of dollars.
Brian has higher education, which is necessary to navigate today’s complex policing environment. He has the proven experience needed to fix the issues troubling the Laramie County Sheriff’s Department. Please view the issues and action plan to fix them under the GOALS tab.
What separates Brian from the others:
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Has a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Phoenix (Phoenix, AZ)
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Has a bachelor’s degree in business/leadership from the University of Phoenix (Phoenix, AZ)
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Commanded an accredited jail system, which processed 19,000 prisoners a year.
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Successfully lead not one, but two police agencies: both with tremendous public support and high employee morale
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Graduated from the School of Police Staff and Command from Northwestern University
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Is certified by Force Science in police use of force
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Is a nationally certified drug recognition expert instructor (only 1 of 10 police chiefs/sheriffs nationally)
Proven Leadership
Employment History:
(click patch to learn more about agency)
Cheyenne Police Department, Chief of Police
March 2010 – January 2021 (Longest serving Cheyenne police chief in history)
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Obtained 70% voter approval, designed and oversaw the construction of the new Public Safety Center, which was completed on time and under budget
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Implemented policy and training programs revised to meet 21st Century best practices
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The only agency in Wyoming to earn the national One Mind Initiative for mental health response
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The only agency in Wyoming to include citizens in the use of force review
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Brian Kozak was the only law enforcement leader who was an honorary commander at F.E. Warren Air Force Base
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CPD has been recognized nationally for its excellent programs, such as the school resource officer program, K9 program and bomb squad; detectives had the best crime clearance rate in the state
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A recent climate survey showed that Brian Kozak had a 98% approval rating and 100% of employees the agency was heading in the right direction
Avon, Colorado Police Department, Chief of Police
Ski resort mountain community at the base of Beaver Creek
May 2006 – March 2010
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Lead the agency to national accreditation
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The agency earned a national community policing and human rights award for its work to outreach the Latino community
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The agency had the highest public approval rating on community surveys
Mesa, Arizona Police Department, Retired as a Section Commander
Nationally accredited agency serving the 38th largest city in America with a population of 460,000
May 1984 - May 2006
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Jail Commander - launched innovative programs, which saved the City $ millions.
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Patrol Commander
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Hiring and Recruiting Commander
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Traffic (motor) Commander
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Homeland Security Liaison
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Gang Commander
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Public Information and Media Relations Supervisor
Personal History, Civic and community leadership:
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Current Board member for the COMEA Homeless Shelter and the Cheyenne Depot Museum
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Current adjunct professor for criminology and criminal investigations for Laramie County Community College
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Current driver’s education coordinator/instructor for Laramie County Community College
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Current member of the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce
Brian was born in Duluth, MN. His mother died of leukemia shortly after his birth. Brian’s father suffered a traumatic brain injury when Brian was young, forcing three of his brothers and four sisters into foster homes. The fourth brother joined the Marines. Brian was adopted by the Kozaks and relocated to Arizona, where he grew up. He was heavily involved in scouting, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. When Brian was a rookie cop with the Mesa, AZ Police Department he found his siblings and traveled to Duluth to meet them. He has maintained a close relationship with them ever since.
Brian has been married to Janine for 33 years. They have two daughters and two grandchildren who live in Colorado. Brian loves woodworking, as evident with the raffle prizes he has made. Since Brian dedicated 12 years of his life to traffic safety as a motorcycle police officer in Mesa, he loves to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle. He has rarely missed a ride that benefits our veterans. Brian lives in the county, just off Horse Creek, and takes pride in his neighborhood; he maintains the 2.5 miles of roads with his tractor. He held the first-ever Neighborhood Night Out party for his community in 2021; he hopes to expand this idea if elected.