Alliance police chief retires after 31 years of service
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (KNEP) - After 31 years of service, Alliance Police Chief E. John Kiss has retired, the City of Alliance announced Wednesday.
The announcement came as no shock to the Alliance Police Department, which has been searching for his replacement since they learned about the Chief’s decision this fall. According to the Department, Chief Kiss’ original plan was to continue through the month of December, but he ultimately decided he is ready now, giving no additional reasons.
Originally from Miami, Florida, Chief Kiss earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Chadron State College while serving as a patrol officer in Alliance, according to a City of Alliance press release.
Over the years, he climbed the ranks --from patrol officer, to investigator, to sergeant, rising to Alliance Police Lieutenant and Operations Commander in 1996. Ultimately, replacing Former Police Chief Robert Jatczak, Kiss claimed the highest post in 1999.
Over the course of his tenure, Chief Kiss created a Police Citizen Advisory Board and joined the Latino Advisory Board in an effort to build positive relationships between law enforcement and the public. He implemented a Police Operations Manual, which has since been adopted by numerous Panhandle police agencies. The central tenet of his career was a commitment to community policing concepts, according to the City’s press release.
The Chief says he looks forward to a retirement filled with Husker games, traveling, learning to play the piano, and spending more time with his wife Lynnette, six children, and 17 grandchildren.