LPD division chief lends a hand in G. Junction
LAKEWOOD – Police Department Division Chief John Camper will return to his hometown of Grand Junction to guide that city’s police department until a permanent replacement for it’s police chief can be hired. The cities announced Tuesday.
Under what both police departments call a “cooperative agreement”, Camper will assume the reins of the western Colorado city’s police department Aug. 31.
Grand Junction Police Chief Bill Gardner announced his resignation July 22. His last day as chief will be Sept. 4.
Camper told the Grand Junction Sentinel he does not plan to apply for the job on a permanent basis.
“Our department has enjoyed a number of opportunities in recent years to work with the Grand Junction PD under Bill Gardner’s leadership,” Camper said. “It is an outstanding police department with a dedicated and talented staff. I’m honored that they asked me to assist them during this time of transition.”
Camper is a 1977 graduate of Grand Junction Central High School.
Grand Junction Mayor Laurie Kadrich said Camper’s knowledge of the city is a bonus.
“Chief Camper was chosen because of his extensive law enforcement management experience and his previous residency in Grand Junction. I feel confident he will bring with him the ability to keep our police department moving in the positive direction it currently is moving,” Kadrich said.
Camper heads Lakewood’s Patrol Division. He joined Lakewood’s police team in 1981 and served as a patrol officer, public information officer, crime-prevention agent and as a detective in the Crimes Against Children unit.
Camper, 50, also served as a supervising sergeant in the Internal Affairs and Theft Investigation units. After a promotion to Commander in 1999, he directed the LPD Communications Center and was a Watch Commander.
In 2004, Camper was promoted to Division Chief, leading first the Support Services Division and the Patrol Division.
He has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration and graduated from the Senior Management Institute for Police.
Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Paletta said Camper is the right man for the job.
“John Camper is an outstanding leader who has demonstrated a wide variety of professional and personal talents that will assist the Grand Junction Police Department and the community during this transitional period,” Paletta said.
