Campbell police promote lieutenant to assistant chief

Staff report

CAMPBELL

The city’s police lieutenant has been promoted to assistant chief of police.

Police Chief Drew Rauzan announced Lt. John Rusnak’s promotion Monday, and it is effective immediately. His new position is not a civil-service position.

Earlier this month, based on the results of a civil-service exam, Rusnak was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant — a rank the police department had phased out. The department’s last lieutenant retired in 1993.

“This is adding to [Rusnak’s] authority, and it will help him to effectively manage the police department,” Rauzan said.

In a release, Rauzan outlined Rusnak’s duties, which include commanding the patrol division, assisting in departmental administrative matters and assuming command of the police department when needed. All detective sergeants and patrol officers in charge report directly to Rusnak.

When Rusnak was promoted to lieutenant, Rauzan indicated that Rusnak would adopt a role that more resembled an assistant chief of police than a supervisor. He noted, too, that the lieutenant functions as the chief’s “right-hand man.”