BELLOWS FALLS -- Municipal Manager Jim Mullen announced Friday that Officer Ron Lake of the Bellows Falls Police Department has been promoted to chief.
"We're looking forward to Ron taking over and giving his energy and enthusiasm to the village," Mullen said.
Lake has worked in law enforcement for 24 years, starting with a stint at the Brattleboro Police Department in 1983. He worked for the Windham County Sheriff's Department for 21 years until early 2007 when he was let go by newly-elected Sheriff Keith Clark.
He has since served as an officer in the Bellows Falls Police Department, which has been struggling to find permanent leadership since Clark, who previously served as chief, left the department.
"Lake was trained by three of the best of the 'old school' police officers in the county: Bill Graham, Henry Farnum and Richard Guthrie," Mullen said.
"All three praised Ron's work ethic and honesty. He believes in shoe-leather and talking with residents. He is the right choice for our village."
The promotion comes at a time of uncertainty for the department, which the Village Trustees are considering eliminating at the end of the fiscal year. The Bellows Falls department has spent nearly $1 million this year and Clark recently said his department could do the same for $650,000.
Mullen said he and the trustees are weighing Clark's offer and could decide to shut the department down in July.
"Ron is fully aware that his job with the department might end if the department ceases to exist on June 30. He would be without a job either way," Mullen said. "As long as the village police department is there, and as long as he's doing a good job, it's his job."
Lake was the subject of a Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council investigation after his boss, former Sheriff Sheila Prue, faced a series of allegations of wrongdoing. But according to Mullen, Lake was cleared of any wrongdoing.
"The investigation found that his certification had lapsed because he hadn't re-applied to be recertified. it was a paperwork oversight," Mullen said.
"I talked directly to the head of the Vermont Training Council to make sure there was no problem with Ron being the police chief based on his being the trainer for Sheila Prue. There isn't."
Lake did not return calls Friday seeking comment.
"Ron has good ideas grounded in his experience of being an on-the-street cop. He likes to meet people. He appreciates the value of walking around a block rather than driving," Mullen said.
Lake will be sworn in on Monday at 1 p.m. in the Rockingham Town Hall's Women's Club Meeting Room.
Paul Heintz can be reached at pheintz@reformer.com or 802-254-2311, ext. 275.