The fifth Colorado chief has high hopes for solving the 30-year murder case of JonBenet Ramsey.

John Ramsey, father of JonBenet Ramsey, commended the City of Boulder for appointing a new police chief on September 6.

The Boulder Police Department's fifth police chief, Chief Stephen Redfearn, has taken on the JonBenet Ramsey case, which has been unsolved for nearly 30 years since the 6-year-old beauty pageant participant was mysteriously murdered in her home on December 26, 1996.

"Ramsey, 80, told Planet Chronicle Digital of Redfearn Tuesday that he is good and likes his new appointment, calling it "good news.""

The police department has not yet held an in-person meeting with the Ramsey family, which is entitled to an annual face-to-face meeting, as per Ramsey's first goal with the new police chief.

Redfearn was described as a skilled individual who was brought in from outside the organization, rather than being promoted from within, which was viewed positively by Ramsey, who believes that BPD has historically been biased against him and his family.

In 1999, John and Patsy Ramsey were indicted by a grand jury for child abuse resulting in JonBenet's death, but Alex Hunter, the district attorney at the time, declined to sign the indictment due to insufficient evidence to charge the parents with a crime.

BPD should provide evidence from Ramsey's daughter's 30-year-old murder case to the FBI for possible external DNA testing, including male DNA, as requested by Ramsey.

The garrote found around JonBenet's neck, the ransom note found in the Ramsey house, the suitcase found in the basement, the unknown flashlight found on the kitchen counter, and the unknown rope found in Burke Ramsey's room are all pieces of evidence that have never been tested for traces of DNA, according to public records obtained by journalist Paula Woodward, as Planet Chronicle Digital previously reported.

"In 1997, the police obtained an unidentified male DNA sample, which they kept secret because it contradicted their conclusion that we were guilty. However, Ramsey explained that by today's standards, the testing they did in 1997 was primitive."

He stated that his family desires new testing because "these advanced genetic genealogy labs require fresh samples to perform their work."

In 2021, the City of Boulder announced that Redfearn had joined the Boulder Police Department (BPD) as a deputy chief, following a 25-year career in law enforcement. Redfearn began his career as a cadet and 911 dispatcher during the Columbine High School mass shooting, and later worked for the Aurora Police Department for 20 years, holding various positions from patrol officer to division chief.

Redfearn stated in a Sept. 6 statement that he is honored to lead the talented officers and employees of the Boulder Police Department as we work collaboratively and proactively with our community to make policing equitable and effective in its core mission. We often think about our role "to protect and serve," but we also have an opportunity and an obligation to prevent harm.

"Policing is about re-evaluating policies, providing best-practices training, prioritizing employee well-being, and renewing the commitment to community engagement."

The Ramsey family continues to be in communication with Boulder Police Department Chief Redfearn, and there are no plans to alter this arrangement.

In 30 years, we have had five police chiefs, which is astonishing.

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He stated that the last two new members have originated from outside the system, which is crucial.