The Town of Kremmling continues in its efforts to find a new police chief with a first round of interviews being conducted this week, according to Town Manager Dan Stoltman.
Kremmling is operating with a minimal police force at the moment, with only one full-time officer and Interim Police Chief Annette Dopplick on staff. Dopplick is a police commander from Steamboat Springs and has only been serving as chief since mid-June. Her contract, paid at the same rate as the previous chief, will end September 30.
The Town has been without an active permanent hire in the position since December 2019 when former Police Chief Jamie Lucas was put on administrative leave, following an external investigation and the refusal of the 14th Judicial District’s Office to prosecute any cases that Lucas was involved in. The Town Board elected not to reappoint Lucas at his annual review in April. He still faces several misdemeanor charges and is scheduled to go to trial in Grand County Court in September.
Among the goals of Dopplick’s short tenure was a focus on department policies and protocols, police officer recruitment, and support in the search process for a permanent police chief. Some of those goals are nearing achievement, as the Town interviews six police chief candidates this week. Challenges in fully staffing the department remain, however, as many long-time officers seem to be choosing retirement over new posts at this point in time
