CLEARLAKE — Lt. Craig Clausen will serve as Interim Chief of Police of the Clearlake Police Department beginning Dec. 31. Chief Allan McClain will retire on Dec. 30.
Clausen”s appointment, made by consensus, was announced following closed session of the Clearlake City Council on Dec. 9.
“I believe Clausen is an excellent choice,” out-going Mayor Judy Thein said. “He is familiar with our citizens and is very knowledgeable of our community”s needs as well as that of the police department. Over the past three years, he has worked closely with Chief McClain, which will afford our community an easy transition.”
Thein said details of the position have yet to be described and formal action of the appointment is still pending. “Even though there was a consensus of the council, vote by formal action must still come before the city council in an open session, as no formal action can ever be taken in closed session,” she said. “The interim position requires a formal contract between the city and the prospective candidate, which is presented in an open session for discussion and action.”
Clausen has been in the employment of the Clearlake Police Department since July 1997.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
