Sunset Beach selects new police chief from Ohio

SUNSET BEACH, NC (WWAY) — After a nationwide search, the Town of Sunset Beach has selected Kenneth J. Klamar as the new police chief.

Chief Klamar comes from Perkins Township Police Department in Sandusky, Ohio.

According to a news release, Chief Klamar began his law enforcement career in 1995 and has advanced through the ranks in his current agency from a Patrol Officer, to Patrol Sergeant, to Chief of Police beginning in 2009.

With 21 years of law enforcement experience, he initiated several community policing programs and local grant funded programs.  Chief Klamar’s current agency hosts events such as “Trunk or Treat,” Triad, and Senior Safe Shop, to name a few.  Chief Klamar was successful in obtaining grant funding through the Office of Criminal Justice Services to enhance community relations.

Sunset Beach says a professional panel that included Mayor Robert Forrester and neighboring police chiefs, District Attorney Jon David, and others interviewed eight semi-finalists. The Town collected feedback from panel participants, phone interviews and a face-to-face interview with the Town Administrator before selecting Chief Klamar.

“I have every confidence that Chief Klamar will distinguish himself early as a visionary leader and effective community leader,” said Mayor Forrester. “His success with implementing community policing and his experiences with summer tourism will serve this community well.”

“I appreciate the leadership that Interim Police Chief Joseph Smith has provided during this time of transition.  I also want to thank the entire department for continuing to provide excellent police services to our community during this transition period”, said Town Administrator Susan Parker.

Chief Klamar will soon relocate to our area with his wife Mashona and their three dogs.  Chief Klamar will begin work on April 20.  His starting annual salary will be $85,000.

The Mayor encourages all of our citizens to extend to Chief Klamar and his family a warm welcome to the Town of Sunset Beach.