In nearly finalizing a department reorganization begun by his predecessor, Laguna Beach’s police chief, Chief Paul Workman announced the promotion to captain of two, nearly 25-year employees previously serving as lieutenants.
Capt. Jason Kravetz, well-known in the community as the department’s spokesman, for the past three years has overseen the department’s investigation division and communications-records sections.
Capt. Darn Lenyi, best known for his involvement with the Citizens Academy and more recently leading the Community Emergency Response Team, has supervised the department’s patrol division for three years.
Both Workman and City Manager John Pietig characterized the promotions as part of a reorganization of the department begun several years ago by former Chief Mike Sellers and a result of the retirements of two former department captains. Workman, 58, who succeeded Sellers three years ago, dismissed speculation that the promotions were made in anticipation of his own imminent retirement. “I haven’t made any plans,” he said, though succession planning is part of building a management team.
Division commanders traditionally hold the rank of captain, according to Workman. As a result, he said the promotions will elevate the authority of Laguna’s management team when working with other law enforcement agencies. The promotions also allow for more logical supervision in the patrol division, where another yet-to-be promoted lieutenant will join Lt. Jeff Calvert in overseeing patrol shifts as watch commanders, Workman said. “This allows us to have the lieutenants in the station and sergeants in the field,” he said, more accessible to officers on the streets.
Previously, a captain had supervised all field services. Now, aside from patrol officers, a civilian supervisor, Jim Beres, oversees the department’s animal services and non-sworn traffic personnel.
As part of the newly adopted budget, one of the department’s unfilled lieutenant positions was turned into a patrol officer, said Pietig, a savings of $50,000. No one has yet been hired for the job, he said. An additional civilian investigator, also proposed as part of Sellers reorganization, was cut from the current budget. “It’s not the right timing for that,” Workman said of the additional post.
Kravetz holds degrees in business and management and public administration from California State University Long Beach. He is currently enrolled in the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Command College program.
Lenyi holds degrees in organizational management and human resource management from National University. He is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy.
Fire Department Promotes From Within
Laguna Beach firefighter engineer-paramedic Thomas Padden will be promoted to captain to fill a current vacancy, effective Sept. 3
Effective the same date, firefighter-paramedic Ian da Costa will be promoted to engineer-paramedic and succeed Padden. The latter’s promotion will create a vacancy in the department.
Padden and da Costa both joined the department in 2006. Padden is a state certified fire officer and is currently working toward completion of his bachelor’s degree. Da Costa, also certified by the state, has completed the state requirements for apparatus driver/operator.
New on the Job Site
Dennis Bogle, Laguna’s new building official, started on the job last month.
He previously worked three years as Newport Beach’s chief building inspector and was was Mission Viejo’s contract building official for nine years.
He has a bachelor’s degree in public administration, and associate degrees in architectural design drafting and building code technology as well as several building code related certifications.
He succeeds Carl Hefner, who cleared out his City Hall desk unexpectedly in March after starting in the post in January 2011. He succeeded the retiring John Gustafson, who held the post for years.
Water Quality Hires New Analyst
Laguna Beach’s water quality department hired analyst Tracy Ingebrigtsen, who began work this past Monday, Aug. 6, and succeeds Will Holoman, who moved out of state.
Ingebrigtsen previously worked 15 years for Stanford University, where most recently she managed water compliance programs for the 8,100-acre campus.
Laguna’s 9.8 square miles is home to 22,723 people.
