Police chief finalists interviews

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Consultation has concluded.

We want to hear from you Lakewood residents! The City of Lakewood is in the final step of selecting our next police chief. Beginning last fall with 28 qualified applicants, we have conducted multiple rounds of interviews, assignments and assessments to arrive at four finalists for the position.

Because we value your input as residents in this process, we are asking you to watch the video of the interviews with the four candidates and to provide comments and recommendations by noon on Feb. 13 to the hiring team for consideration.

Thank you for your participation in this process, and we look forward to presenting you with our new police chief soon!

We want to hear from you Lakewood residents! The City of Lakewood is in the final step of selecting our next police chief. Beginning last fall with 28 qualified applicants, we have conducted multiple rounds of interviews, assignments and assessments to arrive at four finalists for the position.

Because we value your input as residents in this process, we are asking you to watch the video of the interviews with the four candidates and to provide comments and recommendations by noon on Feb. 13 to the hiring team for consideration.

Thank you for your participation in this process, and we look forward to presenting you with our new police chief soon!

Consultation has concluded.

  • Candidates' biographies

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    Candidates listed alphabetically.

    Anita Koester
    Anita Koester is a division chief in the patrol division for the Lakewood Police Department and has served the City of Lakewood and the Lakewood Police Department for 25 years.  She earned her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, in 2016.  Throughout her career, she has served in numerous leadership roles at the Lakewood Police Department, including positions in patrol, investigations, and support services.


    Stephenie Price
    Chief Stephenie Price joined the Bluffton Police Department in October 2020, where she served for two years prioritizing community engagement and health and wellness.  Chief Price strongly believes in community policing partnerships and is committed to leading the department in professionalism, accountability, and crime reduction.


    Mark Reeves
    Division Chief Mark Reeves is a 26-year veteran of the Lakewood Police Department, having served and managed sworn and civilian personnel in all areas of the police department. He is a homegrown leader focused on providing the highest level of police service by empowering a dedicated team of public servants.


    Philip Smith
    Dr. Philip Smith Jr. is a passionate police organizational leader, and a champion of Transformational Leadership Theory. A subject matter expert (SME) with thirty-eight years of achievement, administering community policing methods. Chief Smith is the current chief of police in Roswell, NM.

    Candidates listed alphabetically.

    Anita Koester
    Anita Koester is a division chief in the patrol division for the Lakewood Police Department and has served the City of Lakewood and the Lakewood Police Department for 25 years.  She earned her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, in 2016.  Throughout her career, she has served in numerous leadership roles at the Lakewood Police Department, including positions in patrol, investigations, and support services.


    Stephenie Price
    Chief Stephenie Price joined the Bluffton Police Department in October 2020, where she served for two years prioritizing community engagement and health and wellness.  Chief Price strongly believes in community policing partnerships and is committed to leading the department in professionalism, accountability, and crime reduction.


    Mark Reeves
    Division Chief Mark Reeves is a 26-year veteran of the Lakewood Police Department, having served and managed sworn and civilian personnel in all areas of the police department. He is a homegrown leader focused on providing the highest level of police service by empowering a dedicated team of public servants.


    Philip Smith
    Dr. Philip Smith Jr. is a passionate police organizational leader, and a champion of Transformational Leadership Theory. A subject matter expert (SME) with thirty-eight years of achievement, administering community policing methods. Chief Smith is the current chief of police in Roswell, NM.

    Consultation has concluded.

  • Hiring policy

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    The City of Lakewood provides non-discriminatory employment opportunities to all persons without regard to an individual's race, color, creed, national origin, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status), age, military service, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or disability, or any other applicable status protected by state or federal law. The City of Lakewood does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation and promotes equal pay for equal work.

    The City of Lakewood provides non-discriminatory employment opportunities to all persons without regard to an individual's race, color, creed, national origin, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status), age, military service, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or disability, or any other applicable status protected by state or federal law. The City of Lakewood does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation and promotes equal pay for equal work.

    Consultation has concluded.