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ENLARGE
A five-month search ended Tuesday when John S. Camper was named chief of police at the Grand Junction Police Department.
Camper, who was named interim chief in August, is to assume his new role Feb. 7, city officials said. He is scheduled to earn $120,032 a year plus benefits.
“I am extremely excited to have been given this opportunity and I look forward to many great things ahead,” Camper said. “The dedicated men and women of this police department are really what cemented my interest in become Grand Junction's Chief of Police.”
He added, “I have been impressed from day one by the commitment these professional have to serving Grand Junction and I am proud to be part of this team.”
Camper, who made his remarks in a statement, was a division chief for the Lakewood Police Department when he was named interim chief of police in Grand Junction. His career with the Lakewood Police Department spanned 28 years.
Camper is a 1977 graduate of Central High School.
Camper filled the role vacated by former Police Chief Bill Gardner, who announced July 22 he was going to leave the department in September. At the time Gardner said that he needed to “move on.”
Gardner also said he would seek out positions in law enforcement for which he felt that he would be best suited. He oversaw a department of approximately 200 employees and 50 volunteers.
Gardner served 12 years with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office before becoming interim police chief in 2005, and later permanent chief.
Camper was among six finalists for the job. The finalists emerged from a field of 73, the city said.
City Manager Laurie Kadrich, who headed up the search for a police chief, said Camper is “a great police chief, as evidenced in a variety of ways during the last five months” on the job.
Kadrich made her remarks in a statement.
She added, “He has come to love this community and his desire to serve the citizens of Grand Junction is clear. John's strong leadership skills and overall approachable nature made him the obvious choice.”
Reach Wyatt Haupt Jr. at whaupt@gjfreepress.com.
Camper, who was named interim chief in August, is to assume his new role Feb. 7, city officials said. He is scheduled to earn $120,032 a year plus benefits.
“I am extremely excited to have been given this opportunity and I look forward to many great things ahead,” Camper said. “The dedicated men and women of this police department are really what cemented my interest in become Grand Junction's Chief of Police.”
He added, “I have been impressed from day one by the commitment these professional have to serving Grand Junction and I am proud to be part of this team.”
Camper, who made his remarks in a statement, was a division chief for the Lakewood Police Department when he was named interim chief of police in Grand Junction. His career with the Lakewood Police Department spanned 28 years.
Camper is a 1977 graduate of Central High School.
Camper filled the role vacated by former Police Chief Bill Gardner, who announced July 22 he was going to leave the department in September. At the time Gardner said that he needed to “move on.”
Gardner also said he would seek out positions in law enforcement for which he felt that he would be best suited. He oversaw a department of approximately 200 employees and 50 volunteers.
Gardner served 12 years with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office before becoming interim police chief in 2005, and later permanent chief.
Camper was among six finalists for the job. The finalists emerged from a field of 73, the city said.
City Manager Laurie Kadrich, who headed up the search for a police chief, said Camper is “a great police chief, as evidenced in a variety of ways during the last five months” on the job.
Kadrich made her remarks in a statement.
She added, “He has come to love this community and his desire to serve the citizens of Grand Junction is clear. John's strong leadership skills and overall approachable nature made him the obvious choice.”
Reach Wyatt Haupt Jr. at whaupt@gjfreepress.com.
