New Healdsburg Police Lt. Sworn In

Matt Jenkins, a member of the Healdsburg Police Department for the last 10 years, was sworn in Monday as the new lieutenant.

City Clerk Maria Curiel administered the oath of office at a public meeting of Healdsburg City Council.

Jenkins, 31, who was promoted to the position from his former rank as sergeant, replaces Lt. Kevin Young, who retired this week after 25 years with the department.

"Matt has just been on a ride," said Mayor-Elect Susan Jones, who hired Jenkins during her tenure as Healdsburg Police Chief."He's a real star."

Jones said she first met Jenkins when he was a student intern.

"He said he wanted to work for the CHP," Jones recalled. "I said, 'Why don't you come to work for us?'"

Outgoing Mayor Gary Plass, a former police sergeant, thanked Young for his service and praised his tenure in the department.

"Kevin is another shooting star," Plass said. "He's a straight arrow, who always got the job done -- he did a fantastic job."

Jones said Young was a great asset to her when she was chief.

"Kevin was my right-hand guy," she said.

Also Monday, City Council accepted the retirement of police dispatcher Larry Farnady after 29 years with the department.

"Larry was exceptionally talented," said Healdsburg Police Chief Kevin Burke. "We're really going to miss him."

Plass said Farnady "always had a calm and professional demeanor, no matter what the emergency."

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