A new investigator, Katherine Foos Nuanes, Principal with Nuanes Consulting is under contract for the investigation of allegations against Chief Joel Rae and Deputy Chief Bob DelValle. After consideration of the controversy over her appointment as the investigator on the matter, Heather Coogan has withdrawn from the appointment. Coogan said that she regrets the perceived conflict of interest that grew from the fact that she was recommended for the job via a connection with the City’s insurance pool. “I am confident that my background and experience would have ensured an independent and unbiased investigation, but I recognize that if the community does not share that faith, it doesn’t matter”, Coogan said.
“While Chief Coogan’s departure will delay the investigation, it would be a shame to have her waste her time and considerable expertise to complete an investigation and prepare a report that would be dismissed by the people it is intended to help,” stated City Manager Deb Hinsvark.
Nuanes was recommended by Ron Sloan, Director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. She has 31 years of investigation and management experience in police services and has conducted over 70 internal investigations including code of conduct issues, sexual harassment and harassing work environment among many other scopes of investigations.
Ms. Nuanes received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Chadron State Collage with a double major in Political Science and Criminal Justice and her Masters in Criminal Justice from the University of Colorado. Her police background began in 1983 as a patrol officer and most recently served as Patrol Watch Commander and an Administrative Commander with the Arvada Police Department. She left active police service in 2014. Information on Nuanes and her firm can be found at www.nuanesconsulting.com.
Over the next few days, Nuanes will review information assembled resulting from the letter written by former detective Dave Kleiber and organize interviews to be conducted with police department personnel, city staff and others who Ms. Nuanes feels are appropriate.