Chief of Police

Salt Lake City Police Department
Chris Burbank

Chief Burbank has been with the Salt Lake City Police Department since 1991. Appointed to the position of Chief of Police in March 2006 he became the 45th Chief of the Department. During Chief Burbank’s first year, Salt Lake City received extensive attention for several high profile incidents.

In the first week of April 2006, over 30,000 people marched from the City and County Building to the State Capitol promoting immigration and labor issues. This constituted the largest march in the City’s history. This event transpired without incident. In July of the same year, the City experienced a second high profile kidnapping, following the Elizabeth Smart incident in 2002. Destiny Norton, a 5-year-old little girl was abducted from the yard of her residence and murdered within feet of her front door by a neighbor. The investigation lasted seven days before Craig Roger Gregerson was arrested. Five months later, Mr. Gregerson pleaded guilty to the crime.

International attention focused on Salt Lake City during February of 2007 when 18-year-old Sulejmen Talovic went on a shooting rampage in a local mall, killing five individuals and wounding four others before responding officers ended his life. The Department received high praise for its Emergency Action Team coordination and response. Officers arrived within three minutes of the first dispatched call and the incident was concluded within six total minutes.

Chief Burbank is a graduate of the West Point Leadership program and as a facilitator for the same has been involved in leadership training and instruction for the Police Department and neighboring agencies. He participates in the International Association of Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations Advisory Group.

During the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games, Chief Burbank was appointed a Venue Commander. He was recognized by Director Brian Stafford, United States Secret Service, for outstanding cooperation in support of their protective mission, by Governor Michael Leavitt, State of Utah, for contribution to the law enforcement volunteer program and by Major General Brian L. Tarbet, Adjutant General Utah National Guard, for exceptional meritorious service in support of the games.

Chief Burbank has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of Utah. Prior to his service in the Police Department, he was a professional squash player achieving a number 38 world ranking in the World Professional Squash Association. He is married and has three children.