A man who has served the Boulder community as a firefighter and an ambulance crew member will not be recommended for hire as a police officer by the Boulder Police Commission.
The three-member commission met Thursday to consider the recommendation from Chief of Police Joe Canzona that Ben Makowski be hired to the police force. Commission members Rhonda Craft and Rick Zitnik plus chair Eric Rykal heard praise for Makowski from four locals who have worked with him on emergency responses.
Kristi Burns, a dispatcher, described him as loyal, punctual and steady in stressful situations. “As an employee of dispatch at the sheriff’s office, he is an excellent employee,” she told the commission.
Michelle St. George of the ambulance crew said, “He does fantastic on very stressful calls.”
She also said he is willing to ask for help when he needs it and quick to offer help to others when needed. He is a veteran and has roots in Boulder that should make him more likely to stay than some recent officers, she noted.
Cory Kirsch, a fellow firefighter, said Makowski is reliable, dependable and dedicated. Another firefighter said he looks out for safety and is a good guy who deserves a chance.
Makowski said he knew there were things in his past that might concern the commission but added he is not taking the idea of becoming part of the Boulder police force lightly. He urged the commission to give him a chance.
No one in the public portion of the meeting was any more specific about concerns.
The commission members went into a closed session to review the applicant’s background and qualifications. After about an hour behind closed doors, they came to the conclusion not to recommend his hiring to the mayor.
