Chief of Police Kevin Jones retires, signs off for the final time
“God bless everyone who I have served with, and all of our support staff, dispatch, police officers, highway patrolmen, everyone who hangs a badge. I’m honored to have served with all of you,” Susanville Police Chief Kevin Jones said as he signed off the air for the last time today.
Jones, who has served Susanville and Lassen County in law enforcement for 32 years, begins his retirement effective today.
During the final radio call, dispatch detailed Jones’ dedication to the area.
He worked for the Susanville Police Department from May 1989 to November 1999 as a police officer performing patrol duties, investigations, and grant writing along with other necessary duties. During that time he was awarded Police Officer of the Year in 1995 and 1997.
From November 1999 to June 2008, Jones served as an investigator for the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office, later promoting to senior investigator supervisor. The years following, through November 2018, Jones served at the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, initially as a sergeant, promoting to captain administrator operations commander.
In November 2018, he was appointed Susanville Police Chief.
“He provided strong leadership, bringing stability to the police department,” said the final radio call.
In May 2020, he became interim city administrator, and took on the official role later that year.
“Chief Jones led the city through the COVID pandemic, the catastrophic wildfire that threatened Susanville and improved struggling enterprise operations such as the Susanville Municipal Airport and Diamond Mountain Golf Course,” shared the dispatcher.
In an Friday statement, the city of Susanville thanked Jones for his many years of service and contributions. Captain Ryan Cochran will be appointed acting chief of police at 5 p.m. today.
