Denise Roberts, who has risen through the ranks during a nearly 25-year career with the St. Cloud Police Department, officially became the outfit's first female deputy chief when she was sworn to the post Friday at St. Cloud City Hall.
Roberts fills the role of retiring Deputy Chief Kirk Zilke.
“I am honored to serve the St. Cloud community in this new capacity,” Roberts said. “My focus remains on fostering a culture of wellness and professionalism within our ranks while ensuring our city remains one of the safest in the state through innovation and strong community partnerships.”
Roberts has risen through every sworn rank, most recently serving as Captain. During her tenure she has managed SCPD's Patrol Operations, Special Operations, and Criminal Investigation, and served as its Public Information Officer. She became the agency's first home-grown member to graduate from the prestigious FBI National Academy executive-level program after being nominated by SCPD (only 1% of applicants get accepted), and recently was a key part of the department’s modernization, overseeing the Real-Time Crime Center and the 2025 launch of the Drone as First Responder (DFR) program.
"Denise Roberts embodies the integrity, vision, and collaborative spirit necessary to lead our department into the future," said Police Chief Douglas Goerke. "Her deep roots in this community and her mastery of modern police operations make her the ideal choice for Deputy Chief."
A department released described Roberts as "A recognized advocate for officer development and mentorship, emphasizing strategic planning and fiscal responsibility in her leadership approach."
