On January 7, 2008, Ronnie J. Bastin was appointed Lexington Chief of Police, succeeding Chief Anthany Beatty who retired after 34 years of service with the Division of Police.
Chief Bastin is a 23-year veteran of the Division of Police and most recently served as the Bureau of Operations commander. He also served as the agency's Training Commander at length and led many Division projects and intiatives.
Chief Bastin was promoted to Sergeant in 1990; Lieutenant in 1993; Captain in 1995; Major in 1998 and Assistant Chief in 2001. He has received several distinguished service and professional awards as well as 46 letters of appreciation.
Chief Bastin holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University. He also completed the Administrative Officers Course at the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar.
Chief Bastin will strive to continue the stong emphasis on community involvement which former Chief Beatty helped establish. "With the talent we have in the department and the supportive community in Lexington, my vision is to make Lexington the safest city of its size in the nation."
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ABOUT LEXINGTON AND THE DIVISION OF POLICE
Lexington, the county seat of Fayette County, lies in the bluegrass region of Kentucky. It is noted for the breeding and sale of Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses, a major burley tobacco market, and diversified manufacturing. Lexington is home to the University of Kentucky, famous for the UK Wildcats. Transylvania University, the oldest college west of the Allegheny Mountains, is also located here.
When Lexington was incorporated as a town on December 7, 1831, it was given certain police powers by the Acts of the General Assembly. The first policemen were called watchmen. Since that time Lexington has maintained a police force.
As Lexington has grown and changed, so has it's law enforcement agency. In 1974, Lexington and Fayette County merged their governments, making it the one of two Urban County Governments in the state and Kentucky's second largest city. Merger resulted in the development of the present day Lexington Division of Police.
The Division of Police currently has authorized 570 sworn personnel and more than 150 civilian personnel to serve a population of approximately 270,000. Well over 550 vehicles are included in the Division's fleet to patrol the 284 square miles of jurisdiction. The majority of these vehicles are a part of the Home Fleet Plan which gives officers take-home privilege. The budget for the Division of Police is now in excess of 49 million dollars annually. The Division has benefited from many equipment improvements and enhancements such as a Mobile Crime Lab, Mobile Command Post, and the Enhanced 911 phone system. Officers and detectives now use computers to process information and can expedite information more efficiently. In recent years, the sector system was implemented to enhance the quality and responsiveness of police services throughout the community.
The Division continues to enjoy a great deal of support from the community and our elected officials. The excellent work the police officers are doing every day speaks for itself. Crime is down, and the level of police service is at an all-time high. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Division of Police is an organization of well-trained, dedicated and disciplined men and women who work together to make Lexington truly the "Heart of the Bluegrass."
