Mayor Jim Gray has named Mark Barnard to be Lexington’s next police chief.
Barnard, who is currently assistant chief, has been on Lexington’s police force for 28 years, serving in a variety of roles within the division.
“Public safety is a top priority for our citizens and for me,” said Mayor Gray in a media release announcing the new chief. “Mark Barnard is a determined problem solver who has a strong background in community-oriented policing. His prime focus will be making Lexington safer for all citizens by addressing problems before they become problems.”
Barnard was the unanimous choice of the Search Committee, which was chaired by Glenn Brown, deputy chief administrative officer. Barnard will replace Chief Ronnie Bastin, who was recently named as Lexington’s new public safety commissioner.
The search committee opened up the process to all applicants, both internal and external. Four applications were received: two from inside the Division of Police (Barnard and Lexington Assistant Chief Lawrence Weathers) and two from the outside (Dwayne Depp of Frankfort, Kentucky, and Terri Wilfong of Greenville, South Carolina). All were interviewed by the committee.
Barnard holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Eastern Kentucky University. He and his wife, Gaye, live in Lexington and have two daughters, Caroline and Elizabeth.