Larry Koch promoted to captain

CIVIC CENTER -- As a college student, Burbank Police Lt. Larry Koch

had aspirations of becoming a history teacher. In the end he settled on

police science, which turned out to be a pretty good move.

Koch, 49, a 26-year veteran who most recently has served as the

department’s public information officer, will be promoted to captain in

January.

“It’s an exciting time to be a part of all the changes that will

occur,” Koch said.

Captain Tom Hoefel, who takes over for departing Chief Dave Newsham on

Jan. 1, selected Koch from a pool of three veteran lieutenants for the

job of patrol division captain. Koch will be responsible for overseeing

Media City Center, the communications center, the Burbank City Jail and

the Special Response Team.

Hoefel said the Koch and the other candidates, Lt. Edward Skvarna and

Lt. Robert Giles, were all well-qualified.

“There were too many for a coin flip,” Hoefel said.

“We all know each other very well and we all have worked together for

a number of years in various capacities.”

Koch started working for the Burbank Police Department in July 1973

and has moved through the ranks, serving as both a detective and sergeant

before being promoted to lieutenant in 1985. Giles will take over for

Koch as public information officer, officials said.

Koch’s promotion was one of several personnel changes announced by the

department.

Three sear gents have been pegged to fill Koch’s position and two

other openings at the lieutenant rank that were available because Van

Miller and Duane Dow are retiring. The sear gents being promoted are

David Gabriel, Tim Stehr and Wade Taylor, Hoefel said.

Filling the three sergeant positions will be current detectives Kelly

Frank, Jose Duran and John Dilibert, Hoefel said. Officer Robert

Quesada was also promoted to sergeant to fill an additional vacancy while

a sergeant is on a long-term leave of absence, Hoefel said. The selection

process for the detective positions is still underway, he added.