Police department leadership team
Rafael Gutierrez, Chief of Police
Chief Gutierrez has been a law enforcement professional for over 30 years. He entered the criminal justice field as a Denver Public Safety Cadet and then became a Denver Deputy Sheriff. He later moved to the Greeley Police Department, where he spent most of his career. Throughout his career he worked in a wide range of assignments to include patrol, criminal investigations, community outreach, special enforcement units, field training officer, department skills instructor, and was a 13-year member of the SWAT team. He promoted through the various police ranks working as a Sergeant, Lieutenant, Commander, and Deputy Chief while at the Greeley Police Department.
Chief Gutierrez is honored to serve as Louisville's Police Chief and began the position in May 2023. As the Chief of Police, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations and administrative management of the police department. He is a strong supporter of community policing principles, and many of the initiatives he leads at the Louisville Police Department have a strong community focus. He works every day to support the mission of the police department to ensure public safety and improve the quality of life in partnership with our Louisville community.
Chief Gutierrez is a graduate of the 284th session of the FBI National Academy Police Executive training program, has been awarded the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association’s Trilogy Award for completing the Supervisory, Command, and Executive Leadership programs, and has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Benjamin Kurtz, Division Commander
Commander Kurtz comes from a family deeply rooted in Colorado law enforcement. His great-great-grandfather, Daniel Kurtz, homesteaded in Jefferson County in 1859 and served as Justice of the Peace; a legacy honored today with his photograph displayed in the Jefferson County Courthouse. His mother, Sue Kurtz, began her career with the Silverton Police Department and in 1982 became one of the first two women elected Sheriff in Colorado history.
After graduating from the police academy in 1996, Commander Kurtz began his career with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, serving first in a civilian role before being sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff in 1998.
Commander Kurtz joined the Louisville Police Department on June 26, 2000, and has proudly served the Louisville community for more than 25 years.
Julian Clark, Division Commander
Commander Julian Clark is the Services Division Commander for the Louisville Police Department. He is a proud member of the Louisville Police Department with more than 30 years of service in his community.
A US Army veteran, Commander Clark, has always sought to serve his country and his community. During his police career he has served in a variety of roles including Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Narcotics Investigator, Chemical Munitions Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Crisis Intervention Team member, Detective, Sergeant and is the Department Lead Driving Instructor.
Education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology with an emphasis in Forensic Chemistry. He is also a graduate of several professional leadership programs, including the IACP Leadership for Police Organizations course, CSOC/CACP Supervisory Institute and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association’s Leadership Trilogy.
Commander Clark works to serve with a community focus to support the city, the departments mission statement and the values of the greater Louisville Community.