LAKEPORT — The chief of police of the Lakeport Police Department will be stepping down Oct. 31, having accepted a similar position with the Healdsburg Police Department.
Chief Kevin Burke said he has “mixed emotions” about leaving his position in Lakeport, where he has served as chief of police since March 2006.
“Sometimes you”ve got to go force yourself out of a place even if you”re happy just to keep your career going, and be challenged and that sort of thing,” Burke said about his decision to accept the police chief position in Healdsburg.
Burke, who grew up in Napa County and began his career in St. Helena, worked for the Los Angeles Police Department for nearly 20 years before becoming police chief in Lakeport.
“Coming from a big city to a small town, I wasn”t sure how well I”d be received, but people have been really kind to me. It means a lot when people are like that,” Burke said, about his transition to Lakeport.
The friendliness of the Lakeport community coupled with the opportunities for outdoor activities around Clear Lake made the past four and a half years a great experience, according to Burke.
Burke said he has also enjoyed representing the police department in community events. “We have a lot of parades here in town and I lead pretty much all of them. It”s a lot of fun,” he said.
The position in Healdsburg presented Burke with a unique professional and personal opportunity.
Burke said he has family living in Sonoma County and thinks that Healdsburg, which has nearly double the population of Lakeport, will offer him an opportunity to enhance his career.
“I think you grow professionally as you get to working with larger responsibility, larger budget, larger population, more of a larger staff,” Burke said.
Lt. Brad Rasmussen, of the Lakeport Police Department, said that members of the department also have mixed emotions about Burke”s departure. “We”re disappointed to lose him because he has been such a great chief, but we”re also supporting, with his new opportunity.”
Rasmussen pointed to employee development and peace-officer training as examples of the positive impact Burke has left on the Lakeport Police Department.
Rasmussen, who has worked for the Lakeport Police Department since 1990, has been named interim police chief and will take over the position Nov. 1.
“I support Brad as interim chief; he”s going to do a good job,” Burke said.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
