Effective early next year, Lexington police chief Ronnie Bastin will be the city's public safety commissioner. The city council made the mayoral appointment official Thursday night.
By a unanimous vote, the council confirmed Bastin to step into the role of overseeing police, fire, corrections, emergency management, and communications. The recent deaths of two unarmed African-Americans at the hands of police in Missouri and New York have led to protests and public scrutiny. Bastin, who's spent three decades in law enforcement, believes it's harder than ever to be a police officer. "I think the challenges are constantly changing and evolving and it is tough in this day and time and it's not gonna be an issue that's resolved very quickly, I don't think," said Bastin.
Bastin says it's important to work at developing relationships in the community and building trust. He says the Division of Police began investigating body cameras more than a year ago. "We have been working with vendors who make the various cameras to bring them in. We have some officers that are wearing them right now and have been for a few months. We're trying to find the best product, the best solution," explained Bastin.
Bastin will begin his new duties in January. He replaces Clay Mason who plans to serve in a private business consulting role.?
