LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport's 24th police chief was sworn in during the Lakeport City Council meeting on Tuesday.
Brad Rasmussen, 41, who has worked his way up through the department over a nearly 21-year period, took his oath from City Clerk Janel Chapman at the start of the meeting.
About 150 people came to see Rasmussen take his oath, packing the chamber and spilling out into the lobby.
In the audience were officers from Lakeport Police and California Highway Patrol, police staff and volunteers, Lake County District Attorney's Office staff including Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff, Lt. Brian Martin and Capt. Rob Howe of the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Willits Police Chief Gerry Gonzalez, Lakeport Fire Chief Ken Wells, members of the Lakeport Kiwanis Club and Early Lake Lions, of which Rasmussen is a member and Rasmussen's family.
Looking on were his immediate predecessors – Kevin Burke, who left last October to take the chief's job at Healdsburg Police, and Tom Engstrom, who retired in 2005 and was elected to the city council last November.
Rasmussen, who Burke had promoted to lieutenant, took on additional leadership duties during the 21 months that Burke did double duty both as police chief and interim city manager.
When Burke left Lakeport last fall, Rasmussen was appointed interim chief and acted in that capacity until City Manager Margaret Silveira, who has the hiring authority for the police chief's job, offered him the job permanently on May 18, as Lake County News has reported.
He'll lead a department that, counting the chief's job, will have 10 full-time officer positions in the 2011-12 budget.
After he took the oath, Rasmussen received a standing ovation from the gallery.
He told the group, “I am proud to be selected as the person to lead our police department,” adding he was excited to work with the department's dedicated and hardworking staff and volunteers.
Rasmussen thanked Silveira and the city council for their confidence and trust in selecting him as their next chief.
He also thanked his former chiefs – Engstrom, Burke and Jim Campbell – for their support, training, and the education and leadership opportunities they gave him to prepare him for becoming chief.
Additionally, Rasmussen offered his gratitude to his law enforcement colleagues both inside the department and around the county. “I appreciate the working relationships that we've had.”
He acknowledged the city's management team, noting, “It truly is a team effort here in Lakeport.”
Rasmussen continued, “I'd like to thank the members of our community for their positive support of our police department, and let them know that I plan to keep the goals and direction of the department focused at community-oriented policing, as well as keeping Lakeport as safe and as crime free as possible.”
He recognized his family's support of him working in a job that often interferes with their activities.
Rasmussen invited everyone to a reception afterward hosted by his wife, Karyn, at St. Mary Immaculate Parish Hall. “Hopefully, as soon as I get out of the council meeting I'll be up there.”
Silveira read a message from Gary Leonard, a regional training consultant with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, a retired San Jose Police captain and former police chief. Leonard wasn't able to attend but sent along his congratulations to Rasmussen.
“I am impressed with your chief and department,” Leonard wrote. “I am glad you and your city council have made the decision to keep Brad as the permanent chief. He demonstrates professionalism and real understanding of his and your department's role in providing public safety for Lakeport that will continue to improve the quality of life there.”
After the swearing-in Rasmussen had to stay on for the final budget hearing and presentation of an emergency operations plan. Once the emergency plan was accepted Rasmussen was able to leave to join the party.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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