Candidates' biographies

Candidates listed alphabetically.

Anita Koester
Anita Koester is a division chief in the patrol division for the Lakewood Police Department and has served the City of Lakewood and the Lakewood Police Department for 25 years.  She earned her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, in 2016.  Throughout her career, she has served in numerous leadership roles at the Lakewood Police Department, including positions in patrol, investigations, and support services.

Stephenie Price
Chief Stephenie Price joined the Bluffton Police Department in October 2020, where she served for two years prioritizing community engagement and health and wellness.  Chief Price strongly believes in community policing partnerships and is committed to leading the department in professionalism, accountability, and crime reduction.

Mark Reeves
Division Chief Mark Reeves is a 26-year veteran of the Lakewood Police Department, having served and managed sworn and civilian personnel in all areas of the police department. He is a homegrown leader focused on providing the highest level of police service by empowering a dedicated team of public servants.

Philip Smith
Dr. Philip Smith Jr. is a passionate police organizational leader, and a champion of Transformational Leadership Theory. A subject matter expert (SME) with thirty-eight years of achievement, administering community policing methods. Chief Smith is the current chief of police in Roswell, NM.