CLEARLAKE – At its Thursday night meeting, Clearlake's City Council met two new police lieutenants, approved a proposed reorganization of the Community Development Department and reappointed two planning commissioners.

One of the first orders of the evening was interim Police Chief Larry Todd's introduction of his two new police lieutenants.

Todd, who came on as interim chief in January, has been working to address the department's staff shortages.

During a January interview, Todd related that he had several major recruitments to oversee, including the lieutenant positions. He said then he would give current Clearlake Police employees who are qualified a chance to move up, but was willing to open up the process to go beyond the staff is necessary.

Craig Clausen and Michael Hermann, both currently sergeants who Todd made division commanders earlier this year, made the grade, and were named the department's new lieutenants, Mayor Judy Thein reported.

The two men went through a rigorous process, Thein reported, including a day of testing on March 1 that included an interview panel composed of members from various law enforcement agencies.

Thein said Clausen and Hermann will be sworn into their new positions at 9 a.m. Monday, March 12.

In other police business, Thein said the council approved a suggestion by Todd, Interim City Administrator Dale Neiman and Interim Community Development Director Irwin Kaplan to transfer the Code Enforcement Division from the Community Development Department to the police department.

The council also reappointed Bob Gordon and Albert Bernal to the city's Planning Commission, Thein said.

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