|
Council confirms Gehman as Fallon's new police chief
 |
|
CHRISTY LATTIN
CHRISTY LATTIN, clattin@lahontanvalleynews.com
April 18, 2008, 12:05 AM
 Comments
 Print  Email
Kevin Gehman, a 24-year veteran of the Wyoming County Sheriff's Department in New York, was confirmed as Fallon's police chief at Tuesday's city council meeting.
Mayor Ken Tedford reviewed the selection process, which drew 31 applicants for the position. A five-member selection committee, headed by Chief Juvenile Probation Officer DeVere Karlson, narrowed the field to two applicants. The candidates spent several days in Fallon meeting with police department personnel and council members.
Gehman was offered the position on March 31, his 45th birthday. Tedford said the selection committee echoed his thoughts on Gehman, so he felt comfortable offering him the job. Gehman will earn $93,642 a year.
The Lahontan Valley News sat down with Gehman Thursday morning for a question-and-answer session. Below are excerpts from that conversation.
Q: Talk about your career path after you graduated high school.
A: I started in law enforcement actually 10 days after my 21st birthday. I was one of those kids that always wanted to be an officer and never outgrew it. I started at the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office and stayed there 24 years. I worked my way up to the patrol division captain, which is the highest you could go without running for election.
I spent time in patrol and drug enforcement, then back to patrol as a sergeant then back to drug enforcement as a supervisor, then back to patrol as captain.
I had some time being the low guy on the totem pole - driving the patrol car - and all the way up to supervising the guys on the road, to finally the managerial part with discipline and payroll, the not-as-much-fun stuff, but it comes with the job.
Q: What prompted you to leave New York?
A: When I came out West on hunting trips, I always enjoyed it. We saw this opening and did some Internet research, and it seemed to fit everything we were looking for, so we applied. And when we came out, the community and people far exceeded what we were expecting.
We walked up and down Maine Street, popped into the shops, and talked to the people. There was a recurring theme where they were either Fallonites their whole lives, or they left and came back. So we thought that said a lot about a community. It was very appealing to us. The time we spent here, we thought it was good choice and seemed to fit our needs. I told my wife, "I'm kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop because everybody's positive; there's got to be something more."
Q: You mentioned a highlight of your career was working on the drug task force in Wyoming County. How will that knowledge transfer to Fallon?
A: I think it'll be very beneficial because I spent several years in drug enforcement and I have first-hand knowledge how important the enforcement of drug laws are and all the other consequences that come with nonenforcement.
Q: You've spent 24 years in law enforcement. In that time, how have things changed?
A: People's perspective of police have changed. When I was growing up, you would never (backtalk a police officer) ... it was 'yes, sir, no sir.' Now, there's more questioning of police than when I started, and that's not a negative, it's a positive because it keeps everything in check. Instead of enforcing the laws, it's more community service, more community-oriented.
Q: What's your philosophy on policing?
A: We don't and won't occupy the city. We will provide services to the city. Of course, law enforcement is the core of the department, but we'll also provide service and be community-oriented.
Q: Mayor Tedford said you gave a commitment of 12-15 years here in Fallon. Why that length of time, and why not a shorter stint?
A: As my 24 years at my last job would indicate, I'm a loyal employee. If somebody brings me on, I feel I should dedicate my time and services to that community instead of getting in and getting my feet wet and going to the next thing. I think it's rare to be able to say I've only worked at two places in my entire adult life, and I'd like to be able to do that.
Q: Tell me about the members of your family and what kind of community activities you're interested in?
A: That's one of the nice things about Fallon. It's going to be nice to be in the city where there's more opportunities for groups to attend. The people are certainly going to see us in the community, and we're going to be involved with school and outside functions. We plan to acclimate into the community fully and, as quickly as possibly, become Fallonites.
Gehman and his wife, Teresa, have four children: 12-year-old Nevada, 8-year-old Ellona, and two older children. Brandon, 25, who is attending college in South Carolina and may apply for physical education jobs in Northern Nevada upon graduation. Natasha, 23, is married and lives in Philadelphia.
Gehman will start his new position May 5. His family will arrive in Fallon in July after school concludes for his children in late June.
|
M/CLEAR 62°
