Search for new police chief down to two names
| Tuesday, Nov 17 2009 05:49 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Nov 17 2009 05:49 PM
Loading Stories
Advertisement
Lyle Martin, 43, has 21 years experience with the department, the last 14 months as one of two assistant police chiefs.
He was a captain for 14 months, a lieutenant for 17 months and a sergeant for seven months.
He has worked in every division of the department, including experience as a narcotics officer, motorcycle officer, homicide detective, gang sergeant and lieutenant and SWAT member and team leader.
His education includes a 1997 associate of arts degree in administration of justice, a 2001 bachelor degree in business management and a 2003 masters degree in business administration. He's been a criminal justice instructor at the University of Phoenix since 2005.
He's a board member for the Bakersfield Police Activities League, chair of the education subcommittee of the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee and a member of downtown Rotary.
Greg Williamson, 45, has been in the department for 20 years, the last year as captain. He was a lieutenant for four years and a sergeant for four years.
He too has worked in all divisions in the department and currently is in the operations division in charge of traffic, east area patrol and animal control.
He recently served as vice-chair of the joint city/county committee to suppress gang violence.
He's a 1988 graduate of San Diego State University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration. He earned a masters in public administration in 1997 at California State University Bakersfield.
He's involved in community organizations including Bakersfield North Rotary Club, the Bakersfield Police Activities League and Greater Bakersfield Vision 2020. He's been a local football coach for 22 years.
He also serves on the Kern County Behavioral Health Board and the Children's Treatment and Recovery Services Committee.
The search for the next Bakersfield chief of police is down to two men.
Assistant Police Chief Lyle Martin and Captain Greg Williamson were chosen Tuesday as the two finalists to replace outgoing Bakersfield Police Chief Bill Rector.
One of them will be chosen by City Manager Alan Tandy in a process that typically has taken a couple months.
The job pays $141,000 to $172,000 a year. Police declined to say whether anyone else applied for the job. In all, 11 people at the department were eligible to apply. Those included 5 lieutenants, four captains and two assistant chiefs.
Rector, the chief for five years, announced in September that he will retire in January after he turns 50.
Assistant Police Chief Bryan Lynn who vied with Rector in 2004 for the top job has announced he will retire at the end of December.
That means the new chief will select one or two assistant chiefs -- depending on who wins the job -- as one of his first duties.
Among the challenges for the new police chief will be a lean budget and escalating costs, Rector said.
That comes at a time when gang crime is "a large and looming issue," he said. For example, 14 of the city's 16 homicides this year have been gang related, police have reported.
Within the department, the chief will continue to deal with more than 360 officers who have been working without a contract for three years.
Rector said Tuesday he was pleased with the quality of the candidates, especially their involvement in the community.
Both candidates see the importance of keeping touch with the community, Rector said. "The community has to work with the police department and the police department has to work with the community," Rector said. "That's how you get a safer community."
Candidates for the job met Tuesday morning with a citizens review board which included Debbie Moreno, chief executive officer of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce; Steve Soloman, Visalia city manager; Ron DePompa, Glendale police chief, and Keith Brice, president of Mid State Development Corp.
That panel then met privately with the Police Civil Service Commission and City Manager Alan Tandy. Police Commission Chairman Steve Anderson then publicly announced the certified candidates.
