Fayette County
Lexington’s top two public safety officials have both resigned. What happens next?
Lexington Public Safety Commissioner Ronnie Bastin resigned Tuesday so he could run for mayor, leaving Kentucky’s second-largest city with no police chief or commissioner to oversee police, fire and corrections departments.
There were 28 homicides in Lexington in 2017, an all-time high, according to police data.
Police Chief Mark Barnard, who was named chief after Bastin became public safety commissioner three years ago, retired in early January. Assistant Chief Ron Compton, a longtime police officer, was named acting police chief while the city searches for a new leader of a department that has more than 630 sworn officers.
Susan Straub, a spokeswoman for the city, said Mayor Jim Gray is working quickly to fill the two key positions.
“The mayor is considering options for police chief,” Straub said. “We should have an announcement soon.”
The city also has started identifying possible replacements for Bastin, Straub said. In the meantime, chief of staff Geoff Reed will be the acting public safety commissioner.
Gray’s schedule is crowded as he competes in this year’s Democratic primary for Central Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District.
Vice Mayor Steve Kay said he hasn’t heard any concerns from police, fire or corrections employees about the two key vacancies.
“We have a strong department and a stable administration,” Kay said. “The commissioner position is important. The chief position is really important, and we are working on getting the best people for those jobs.”
Bastin’s resignation comes at a critical time as the city’s administration develops its proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. More than 30 percent of the city’s general fund budget is spent on police, fire and corrections.
The city has proposed adding a fourth police sector and hiring 30 more police officers in the next fiscal year. Last year, 30 police officers were added.
Beth Musgrave: 859-231-3205, @HLCityhall
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