Rusty Cooper will be the City of Kingman’s next Chief of Police. The 28-year Kingman Police Department (KPD) veteran currently serving as deputy Chief is excited to be selected to succeed retiring Chief Bob Devries.
“It is very special. It’s an honor. It’s a privilege,” Cooper said Wednesday morning. “I’ve enjoyed my service with the city immensely. I’m looking forward to continuing on in my new role as Chief of Police. It’s an amazing group of people that Chief Devries has put into place and has established. So, I’m very proud and honored to carry on.”
Deputy Chief Evan Kunert, a 17-year KPD veteran, was the second finalist to be interviewed by separate panels. City Manager Ron Foggin said representatives of both panels indicated that both are excellent candidates to lead the department into the future.
Foggin said he believes Cooper and Kunert will work well together and that Kunert may someday be Kingman’s next Police Chief. And he looks forward to steady leadership from Cooper.
“I think that Rusty does have that calm and even-keel demeanor that we need,” Foggin said. “He is hungry, smart and humble and that’s the kind of leader that I need in my organization.”
Cooper said he assumes his duties as Chief on April 27. He has no plans to shake up the department, but there may be some innovation in the wind.
“I definitely have some ideas,” Cooper said. “There’s nothing that we’re doing wrong. I just know things are changing and I look forward to being involved with implementing some of those thoughts and ideas.”
Cooper’s promotion leaves his position open to application by KPD lieutenants and sergeants.
