LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A former Clearlake Police chief said he plans to run for sheriff in the next election.

Bob Chalk, 58, who retired as Clearlake's chief in December 2006, made the announcement Tuesday.

“I think something needs to be done,” Chalk told Lake County News.

The next election for sheriff is in 2014. Sheriff Frank Rivero, currently 19 months into his first term, has stated publicly that he does not plan to seek reelection but instead will support Undersheriff Pat Turturici.

Supervisor Jeff Smith, whose district includes Clearlake, said Chalk served the city well as police chief.

“I think he'll do a great job,” Smith said.

Chalk is a 32-year law enforcement veteran, who began his career with the Lake County Sheriff's Office in 1975.

He remained with the agency until 1981, when he accepted a police officer position with the newly formed Clearlake Police Department.

Over the next 12 years he worked his way up through the agency, becoming chief in 1993.

Chalk retired in 2006, and remains the city's longest serving police chief with nearly 14 years in the job.

He said he reduced crime in the city during his tenure, while at the same time balancing his department's budget, and increasing service levels and response times.

“I will bring proven leadership and a spirit of cooperation amongst all law enforcement agencies within Lake County and beyond,” Chalk said.

As sheriff/coroner, Chalk said he will focus on improved morale and increased delivery of services in a fiscally responsible manner.

Chalk said relationships between the sheriff's office and the county's many tribal councils and police agencies must be improved, adding that all of the county's law enforcement agencies must work together cooperatively in order to achieve the maximum safety both for citizens and law enforcement personnel.

He said recognition and support must be given to the sheriff's office's most valued asset, its hardworking men and women.

“These employees work day and night to provide public safety to all persons and communities within Lake County,” Chalk said.

Chalk advocates setting clear organizational values to guide employees as well as a proactive approach to law enforcement, which he said will reduce criminal conduct.

“As sheriff, I will direct enforcement activities that make it clear – Lake County will not tolerate criminal activity,” he said.

Chalk's announcement follows by just a few weeks a cursory discussion by the Board of Supervisors on a proposed no confidence vote on Rivero.

That vote originally was to have been held Tuesday morning, but Board Chair Rob Brown decided to delay it because of Rivero's ongoing legal claims against the county.

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