Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Paletta, who has been with the force for 35 years, will retire at the end of the month, it was announced Monday.
Paletta, 57, has served as chief in Lakewood for 8½ years.
He is noted for helping create regional law enforcement programs, like the Lakewood Jefferson County Combined Regional Training Academy for law enforcement training; the Regional Crime Lab serving several Jefferson County communities; and the joint Lakewood-Wheat Ridge Special Weapon and Tactical unit.
Paletta said Monday he has no immediate career plans but will spend a good chunk of the summer in Italy with his wife.
“I have spent my entire police career at Lakewood, and it has been an honor and a dream come true to serve as chief,” he said. “I am most proud of our agency’s focus on respectful and compassionate service and our regionalization projects.”
The city has launched a transition plan, starting with the appointment of Division Chief Dan McCasky as interim police chief. A national search for a new chief is expected to take several months.
John Aguilar: 303-954-1695, jaguilar@denverpost.com or @abuvthefold
