On Thursday, December 1, 2022, from 4 to 7 p.m. Nederland residents had the opportunity to meet and speak with Detective Sergeant Daniel Gledhill, the current front-running candidate for the open position of Town Marshal. Gledhill traveled to Nederland from his home in North Carolina for two days packed with tours, history lessons, formal introductions, and a public interview before the Board of Trustees (BOT).

Town Administrator Miranda Fisher has been actively interviewing candidates in an effort to recruit and rebuild the Nederland Police Department (NPD) since September of 2022. Gledhill, as the top candidate, would bring to the position 20 years of experience, which includes forming and leading the SWAT, anti-crime, and anti-drug units for the Holly Springs Police Department in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

The “Meet and Greet” with Gledhill took place at the Nederland Community Center for three hours before the BOT interviewed Gledhill for an additional two hours during a public meeting.

Gledhill spoke with many residents, including Nederland native and high school senior Lauren Dirr, about her plans to study Biology and Pre-Med out on the West Coast, and former Mayor Kristopher Larsen, about local recreation and altitude sickness. Gledhill also met and shook hands with Mayor Billy Giblin, and the two were able to casually speak about the beauty and complexities of Nederland before the formal interview.

Gledhill met former NPD officers who were present for the public event, as well as spoke with officers who have recently applied to the NPD.

Officer Colbie Allen, who has applied for the Sergeant position, comes with 20 years experience as an officer in Broomfield. Allen, who is familiar to the Nederland area and the Peak to Peak region, strongly believes that he and Gledhill both recognize the opportunity to create a department from the ground up.

Allen also noted the great sentiment in the townspeople voting for tax measures to rebuild the local police department, mentioning that the attitude towards law enforcement is not the same just down the hill.

Also present at the Meet and Greet was Officer Tony Johnson who is applying for one of several open positions with the NPD. Additionally, Officer Mike Hartsell was present online during the BOT interview and has also applied for the Sergeant position with the NPD. Pending evaluations and the hiring of a new Marshal, the NPD could potentially find itself close to fully staffed within a few months.

Gledhill effortlessly conversed with residents, Town staff, and elected officials; speaking purposefully and pointedly about law enforcement, listening with wonder about local history, listening with empathy about recent politics, and laughing with joy and excitement at the recreational opportunities presented by our great wilderness.

On Thursday, December 1, at 7 p.m. the BOT met for a special meeting to interview Gledhill. Trustees asked Gledhill more than 20 questions regarding his experience and skills gained in the law enforcement field. The questions not only covered tangible moments in Gledhill’s career, but covered Gledhill’s personal views and philosophies regarding the many different aspects of law enforcement.

Gledhill spoke of how his high school teachers would describe him as a “bad kid”, as he was under-stimulated in school. As a senior in high school he was the youngest sibling in a family struggling with the sudden loss of their father. It took a strong mentor to help steer him straight and into college to study pre-law. A college criminology course sparked his interest in law enforcement, and his wife becoming pregnant with their first of four children led him into his career as a police officer.

Trustees asked about what qualities he possesses that make him a good leader, as well as about what personal skills he would bring to the Marshal position. Gledhill specified that he prefers leading by example, and that he prefers a hands-on method to coaching and mentoring, noting that he can tell his effectiveness as a leader once his team commits 110% to doing the job and providing the best possible outcome out in the field.

Gledhill described to the BOT some of the challenges that he has faced throughout his career. He noted his four years in narcotics investigation, working undercover to hopefully prosecute corrupt police officers, put him in such a miserable state of mind that it nearly cost him his marriage and his family. However, the harrowing experience taught Gledhill the importance of reaching out for help.

The trauma from dealing with drug related crime led Gledhill to work as a school resource officer in the high school, which he describes as the most rewarding work of his career. He recalls the summer fishing program, which he helped to institute, that saw off-duty officers fishing with at-risk kids as the best collaborative moment between himself as a police officer and a local government.

Gledhill described his worst collaborative moment as a time when he had gotten sloppy and lazy with his own mandatory paperwork. The mistake led to a perpetrator walking free, a mistake that Gledhill refuses to let repeat.

Trustees dove into more questions regarding what Gledhill himself would describe as his greatest struggles in the day-to-day administration of police work. Gledhill spoke of his propensity to be forthright in voicing his opinions, mentioning a moment in his career when he spoke up against fellow officers and against, what he perceived to be, shoddy investigative work concerning the death of a poor minority in their hometown.

Gledhill answered the BOT’s questions concerning his consideration of the position in Nederland, stating that he wishes to build upon the community policing aspect of the NPD. He listed gaining trust of the townspeople, recruitment to the NPD, building a policy manual, and building a training program as the biggest hurdles of rebuilding the department.

Gledhill spoke honestly about the tremendous opportunity of building a department from the ground up, as well as the need to set up the department for success. He mentioned that he rather take the time to grow the department the right way instead of running his officers into the ground trying to rush to 24 hour coverage. He also stated that in order to foster a positive environment within the NPD, he as Marshal must work, as well as the Town and the BOT, to make NPD officers feel appreciated.

Gledhill asked each Trustee what they wanted from their prospective Town Marshal. Trustees wished for a Town Marshal who would act as a collaborative partner with Town officials in administering and enforcing the laws of the town.

Trustees also desired for Gledhill to consider the administrative duties of the Marshal position, as well as the environmental implications to accepting the position, as Nederland’s climate and altitude is drastically different compared to North Carolina’s, where Gledhill currently lives and works.

“I think I’ve shown by flying out here on my own dime that I’m serious about it,” Gledhill said at the end of his interview, speaking about the Town Marshal position. “I’m glad that I can show you that I’m willing to put forth that effort. Anybody will do something for a dollar, that’s why you have to put forth the effort yourself to get that dollar back.”

The BOT deliberated for a closed executive position after their two-hour public interview with Gledhill. The Town of Nederland and the BOT officially offered Gledhill the position of Town Marshal on Friday, December 2.

At the BOT meeting on Tuesday, December 6, Town Administrator Miranda Fisher announced Gledhill has accepted the position and his first day will be Tuesday, January 17, 2023.