- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Lakeport City Council hires firm to recruit new police chief
At its Jan. 16 meeting, the council unanimously approved an agreement with Bob Hall and Associates to conduct an executive recruitment to find the successor for Chief Brad Rasmussen, who intends to retire later this year.
The $27,000 agreement was approved along with a budget amendment to allow for the expenditure.
Last spring, Rasmussen announced his plans to retire at the same time as he revealed his intention to run for District 4 supervisor. He’s now in the midst of a four-way race that also includes Scott Barnett, Laura McAndrews Sammel and Chris Read.
Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Kelly Buendia told the council that after Rasmussen’s announcement, staff discussed the recruitment and decided that it “quickly gets out of our scope,” and that “hiring an executive recruiting firm makes most sense in our opinion.”
Her written report explained that the firms were asked to “conduct a comprehensive outreach campaign aimed at producing the highest quality candidate pool; coordinate the interview selection process; assist in compensation negotiations and conduct a POST-level background investigation.”
Buendia reported that the city issued a request for quote and qualifications and received five proposals to do the work.
A selection committee that included Buendia, Rasmussen, City Manager Kevin Ingram and Assistant City Manager Nick Walker interviewed the top three firms and decided that Bob Hall and Associates was the best overall fit for the city, demonstrating the strongest law enforcement experience and credentials.
“They also exhibited experience in understanding and working with the challenges of small agencies,” Buendia’s report explained.
Buendia said Bob Hall and Associates’ bid was in the middle of the amounts proposed by the other firms.
Todd Freitas of the Lakeport Police Officer’s Association said he believed the city has a very good vision for how to move forward. He also noted that the contract amount will cover the background investigation cost.
Freitas lauded Rasmussen for doing “a very good job of running the ship over the years.”
He credited the police department’s strong staffing position to current police administration, adding, “We hope that this hiring firm will assist us in continuing that vision in the leadership.”
Councilwoman Kim Costa moved to approve the agreement, with Councilman Brandon Disney seconding and the council voting 5-0.
The contract commences on Feb. 1 and continues until Jan. 31, 2025. It will be overseen by Buendia.
Rasmussen has been chief since May of 2011, and was promoted to the position from within the police department’s ranks after the departure of Chief Kevin Burke, whose hire resulted after a recruitment begun in 2005 when Chief Tom Engstrom retired.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.