Lakewood is fortunate to have top notch safety services protecting our community. Our Fire Department and Police Department are always proactive in exploring new ways to keep us all safe while also being responsive to the intense real time demands of our dense and active community. That high level of service is linked directly to the culture being set within our departments from the top, and the leaders who are focused on providing the best for Lakewood. On June 30, one of those leaders - Police Chief Kevin Kaucheck - retired after dedicating over three decades of police work to our community. His career in Lakewood was nothing short of exceptional, and we all owe him our gratitude.

Chief Kaucheck was hired as a patrol officer in 1989 and got to know Lakewood and its people deeply over the years. He rose through the ranks to hold positions as Investigator, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and finally Chief. In those roles, he did everything from leading our narcotics and vice units to overseeing our patrol and administrative divisions.

Most recently, Chief Kaucheck guided the department through a number of challenges and opportunities with an even hand. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when demands on our officers increased and they were on the front lines providing service despite high risk of infection, Chief Kaucheck as able to keep departmental moral strong and maintain its usual superior standards. He was a steady, reasonable, and firm presence that addressed high profile incidents and everyday police work with the same attitude of utmost professionalism. Chief Kaucheck helped integrate new technology and equipment into our department's work; introduced innovative programs like the Safe Place initiative; and kept Lakewood's overall crime rates low despite nationwide challenges in police work. He also helped mentor and build upcoming leadership within our department to ensure a strong overall culture continues on once he retires. Chief Kaucheck, you will be missed!

Fortunately, Chief Kaucheck continued to develop a deep bench here in Lakewood, and I am happy to announce that our new Chief, Kevin Fischer, brings his own strong resume to the position. Chief Fischer has been on the force in Lakewood for over two decades, and in a leadership role since 2011. He's also a proud Lakewood High School graduate and lives in our city, so his roots run deep. While Chief Fischer has big shoes to fill, we are all confident that he is up to the task. He began as Acting Chief on July 1 and will officially be sworn in on Friday, July 7th at noon in the City Hall Auditorium. He has been working hand-in-hand with Chief Kaucheck over the past few months on transition planning to ensure everything goes smoothly and Lakewood remains a highly safe community.

Thank you again to Chief Kaucheck for his years of service. He will be missed but we know we are in good hands with Chief Fischer taking over the helm in the Police Department.