Rikke Van Johnson to Host Town Hall Meeting With San Bernardino Police Chief Keith Kilmer

San Bernardino Mayor Pro Tem Rikke Van Johnson, top photo, will host a Town Hall Meeting especially for Ward Six residents Thursday, June 25 at the Ingrham Community Center. Special guest will be Chief of Police Keith Kilmer, who began his job with San Bernardino on June 1.

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) On Thursday, June 25, 2009 Mayor Pro Tem and Sixth Ward Councilman Rikke Van Johnson will host a Town Hall Briefing, with new Police Chief Keith Kilmer as his special guest.

The San Bernardino Employment Training Agency (SBETA) will also be present to talk about employment opportunities for youth and young adults. The meeting will take place at the Inghram Community Center, 2050 N. Mt Vernon Avenue, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

“This is an opportunity for Sixth Ward residents to meet their new chief of police and hear his plans for keeping San Bernardino’s neighborhoods safe in light of our city challenging economic conditions,” said Johnson, who has represented the Sixth Ward since 2004. “Keith Kilmer brings a wealth of experience in law enforcement and he is a lawyer too. I encourage everyone to come meet him and learn how we can work with him to keep San Bernardino safe.”

Chief Kilmer has been a member of the Southern California law enforcement community for the past 27 years. Prior to his arrival in San Bernardino, he was police chief in Bell Gardens for three years, and served with the Long Beach Police Department for 24 years, rising to the rank of police commander.

Kilmer has been recognized for his efforts involving community policing programs, youth oriented programs, technology and crime prevention.

Chief Kilmer graduated from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, in 1987, and has been a member of the California State Bar since 1988. He has attended numerous executive level training programs in law enforcement including the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University, the California Command College and the West Point Leadership Program. He also served in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer and Canine Handler.

Chief Kilmer is married to Roberta and has four children, the oldest of which is currently involved in Ranger training with the United States Army.

Rikke Van Johnson represents the Sixth Ward on the City Council of San Bernardino, where he has lived for most of his life. He is the manager for Greenwood Bail Bonds, and previously worked for 27 years as a clerk for the United States Postal Service.

For more information about the Town Hall Briefing, please contact Mayor Pro Tem Rikke Van Johnson at the San Bernardino City Council Office at (909) 384-5378.

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