By Shannon Lukens.
Mark Beckett has been named the Police Chief for the Steamboat Springs Police Department. He had been serving as interim chief since February. Chief Beckett has served 22 years in law enforcement, most previously in Mesa, Arizona. He is responsible for 29 sworn officers and 15 professional civilian members in Steamboat Springs.
Press release from the City of Steamboat Springs; Aug. 23, 2023.
Mark Beckett Selected To Head Police Department As Chief
Beckett Has Served As Interim Police Chief for SSPD Since February 2023
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-August 23, 2023-Interim Police Chief Mark Beckett, a 22-year law enforcement veteran, has been named to the top executive position of Police Chief for the Steamboat Springs Police Department (SSPD).
“Mark earned the position through a competitive interview process and was the clear choice to lead the department into the future,” said City Manager Gary Suiter. “His actions as interim chief shows his commitment and caring for the community and a genuine intent to support everyone within the department.”
As the top cop for the city, Chief Beckett is responsible for 29 sworn officers and 15 professional civilian members, who are dedicated to keeping the community safe, providing quality police service, and working with citizens and businesses. The Chief oversees Operations, Investigations, Records, Community Services, Code Enforcement, and participation in joint agency teams such as the Combined Emergency Response Team.
“I’m very pleased to be able step into this role in a permanent fashion,” said Chief Beckett. “In my time in Steamboat Springs, I’ve been fortunate to get to know most of the members of this police department and I’m continually impressed with their professionalism, dedication, and passion for this community. It’s an incredible honor to lead this department and to continue to create an environment of learning, creativity, and inclusiveness. We will continue to develop into a premier police organization that prioritizes community, wellness, training, and professionalism.”
Prior to joining SSPD in 2022 as Operations Commander, Beckett served as a sworn member of the City of Mesa Police Department (AZ) for 21 years. During his time in Mesa, he was a leader in the Gang Unit and helped establish the FBI Central Arizona Safe Trails Task Force. Over much of his supervisory career, he was assigned to the Mesa Gang Unit where he pioneered the development of a formal training program adopted by several other agencies.
Beckett has also been a key proponent of the development of an employee wellness program for the Special Operations Division at the Mesa Police Department. He has been championing mental wellness and been working to destigmatize therapy and wellness programs.
Chief Beckett was awarded the FBI Director’s Award for Excellence in 2020 for his work on the Safe Trails Task Force. Additionally, he has expertise in organizational leadership, critical incident management, investigations, and training.
Before law enforcement, Beckett worked as an Emergency Medical Technician in Buffalo, New York while attending the State University of New York at Buffalo where he obtained a Bachelor of the Arts degree in biology and environmental studies in 2000.