Imperial Police Chief Leonard J. Barra retires after 23 years of service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 8, 2023
IMPERIAL, CA – Imperial Police Chief Leonard J. Barra has announced his retirement after 23 years of service to the City of Imperial and its residents.
Chief Barra has been an essential part of the Imperial Police Department since 2000.
Chief Barra has held numerous positions within the department, including Patrol Officer, Detective, and Administrative Sergeant. He was appointed Chief in 2017 and has been instrumental in leading the department to new heights. Under his leadership, the Imperial Police Department has seen significant improvements in public safety and crime reduction. In addition, he has been a strong advocate for community policing initiatives, which have resulted in improved relationships between police and residents throughout the city.
The City Manager intends to appoint Retired Chief of Police Michael Crankshaw as Interim Police Chief until a permanent replacement is named. Crankshaw is a long-time Imperial Valley resident and retired from the Brawley Police Department in 2017.
“Chief Barra has been an integral part in transforming the Imperial Police Department into what it is today,” said Mayor Katie Burnworth. “His hard work and dedication to public safety have helped make our community one of the safest cities to live in. We want to thank him for his over two decades of service and wish him all the best in his retirement. We look forward to having Retired Chief Crankshaw to lead our police department during this transition.”
The City of Imperial has contracted with Bob Hall and Associates to begin the executive search for Chief Barra’s permanent replacement. Interested applicants can visit www.bobhallandassociates.com for more information.
The Imperial Police Department would like to thank Chief Barra for his dedicated service to the City and wishes him all the best in his retirement. Chief Barra will be honored at an official ceremony in the coming days.
All media inquiries can be directed to the City Manager’s Office by phone at (760) 355-4373 or email at abrown@cityofimperial.org.
