Sandahl takes oath as police chief

In a brief ceremony at Kenai City Hall on Thursday, newly appointed Police Chief Gus Sandahl was officially sworn in by Mayor Pat Porter.

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Photo By Phil Hermanek

Kenai Mayor Pat Porter, right, administers oath of office to Gus Sandahl on Thursday, officially making him Kenai's chief of police. Sandahl's wife, Kelley Sandahl, looks on.

Sandahl told the 15 people attending the ceremony that he is "really thankful" for the opportunity to serve as chief.

"We have great people that show initiative and work hard," Sandahl said. "We're one of the finest departments in the state, and I want to continue that."

After issuing the oath of office to Sandahl, Porter also presented a bouquet of flowers to Sandahl's wife, Kelley Sandahl.

In a show of support for the new chief, all Kenai police officers on duty Thursday morning, as well as some public safety administrative staffers, attended the ceremony.

Gus Sandahl, who has been a Kenai police officer since 1995, was named chief on Tuesday, replacing Chuck Kopp, who resigned last month when asked by the governor to be commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

Sandahl is a 1990 graduate of Kenai Central High School, he received a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice administration from Boise State University in 1994 and attended the FBI Academy in 2006.

Kenai City Council members Barry Eldridge, Rick Ross and Hal Smalley also attended Thursday's ceremony.

Phil Hermanek can be reached at phillip.hermanek@peninsulaclarion.com.