DENVER -- Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has made his decision about who will head up the Denver Police Department.

He has reappointed Gerry Whitman (pictured, left) to serve as chief. The announcement was made at a Monday afternoon news conference.

Whitman had been competing with Chief Dave Abrams, Cmdr. Rudy Sandoval, Cmdr. Brian Gallagher, Special Operations Div. Chief Juan Maldonado, and Capt. John Lamb.

"Chief Whitman has my complete confidence and support to continue this challenging task of managing and guiding the process of modernization," said Hickenlooper. "In this vein, I have given Chief Whitman specific tasks, which, I believe, will allow us to continue offering the very best in police service to the citizens of Denver."

The Mayor's directives to Chief Whitman include the following:

Ensure that the Denver Police Department represents the diverse community it serves and operates with the most modern and effective methods and equipment.

Install a leadership team that can meet high expectations and serve the diverse needs of the community.

Encourage and facilitate the active community participation in the community policing effort.

Seek every opportunity to ensure that, where appropriate, all affected members or groups within the police department are active participants in formulating and implementing the strategic objectives of the department.

Identify opportunities to streamline the complaint and disciplinary process and, if necessary, revise existing policies of the department and make recommendations about other city policies that may facilitate this change.

Reassess current policies and practices addressing and impacting the use of force, to include how officers are selected to serve on the department, how officers are trained, and the review of use-of-force incidents.

Encourage each member of the department to be part of the endeavor to promote the police department to the public.

The Denver police union has been a vocal critic of Whitman, and in a letter to the mayor's transition team, the Denver Police Protective Association implied that if he is not replaced, officers would write fewer tickets. Following Hickenlooper's announcement and a meeting with the mayor, a PPA spokesman said his association would support the mayor and Whitman as police chief.

Whitman has headed the department since February 2000, when he was appointed by Wellington Webb. The 27-year police veteran is a former commander and patrol division chief. He also was in charge of DPD security for the Oklahoma City bombing trial. Whitman joined the Denver Police Department in 1982 as a patrol officer.