City’s Top Cop Shifted to Ventura
After six years of serving as the top cop in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County Sheriff’s Cmdr. Kathryn Kemp is transferring to a new position.
Kemp, 52, will move to the department’s personnel division to take charge of human resources in Ventura beginning Sunday. Kemp will oversee testing and the application process for new employees.
Assuming the day-to-day oversight of the East County Sheriff’s Station, which provides police services for Thousand Oaks, will be Capt. Keith Parks, 44, one of six department watch commanders.
The transfers are part of a departmental reorganization in the works for two years.
Kemp said she is proud of her accomplishments in the Conejo Valley. Those accomplishments include establishing Volunteers in Policing, Citizens Academy, bike patrol programs and a mobile command post.
“I started them all,” said Kemp, who conducted her last Thousand Oaks staff meeting Tuesday morning. “It’s been a really exciting assignment. I might have had some ideas, but what’s brought the programs to life is the employees.”
Jim Friedl, deputy city manager, said Kemp has done an incredible job ensuring Thousand Oaks has quality police services.
“She has been amazing,” Friedl said. “She’s been involved in a whole slew of community programs. We’re going to miss her terribly.”
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