Lt. Randy Rosencrans has retired after serving with the Homer Police Department for more than 20 years and in law enforcement for 25 years. Homer Police Chief Mark Robl praised him for his service.

“He’s done a great job,” Robl said. “He’s been very progressive in keeping the department up to date in current techniques and other trends in law enforcement.”

Rosencrans and his family plan to move to Arizona at the end of the summer, where he hopes to continue working in criminal justice, possibly in teaching.

Lt. Will Hutt takes over from Rosencrans as the department’s second-in-command. 

The lieutenant, or “LT,” as officers call him, is the equivalent of a ship’s executive officer. He has direct supervision over jail and police officers, makes recommendations on hiring and promotions of officers and serves as the chief’s back up.

A paratrooper in the U.S. Army, Hutt started in law enforcement as an undercover narcotics officer. He has been with the Homer Police for almost 19 years.

Officer Ryan Browning as been promoted to sergeant to fill the vacancy created by Hutt’s promotion.