Lindsay adds new officer
Kirkman appointed on Tuesday
Chris Hughes, Lindsay’s director of public safety, appointed at the city’s council meeting Tuesday Dakota Kirkman to public safety officer.
Kirkman, who was born in Visalia in 1990, was raised in Exeter.
He is a graduate of Exeter High School and played a number of sports such as football and baseball.
After he graduated, he attended College of the Sequoias where he played baseball. He transferred to Porterville College where he also played baseball until he got a scholarship to play at Mount Marty College in South Dakota.
While there, he began taking criminal justice classes, which led him to change his initial career goal of being a teacher to becoming a police officer. To get some experience, he started working as a jail intake at the Yankton County Jail in South Dakota.
When he returned to Ex-
eter in 2015, he decided to attend the California Police Academy. In July of this year, he completed the College of Sequoias Police Academy.
Hughes said Dakota has already started working on keeping the streets of Lindsay safe.
“He is fitting in real nice,” Hughes said. “He seems to be getting along with everybody.”
Mayor Pro Tem Danny Salinas said there were a number of quality candidates seeking the public safety officer position, but believes Dakota was the best option.
“For him to get it over all the others, it was a good choice,” Salinas said.
Mayor Pam Kimball added, “We are very happy to have you on board with us Officer Kirkman.” In other matters:
Approved proclamation of appreciation to Philip Lobue.
Approved proclamation declaring September Railroad Safety Month.
Approved a request to form an Ad Hoc Committee for community recognition and selected councilmembers Laura Cortes and Brian Watson to serve.
The next regular city council meeting starts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at Lindsay’s City Hall.
The council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Sweet Brier Plaza. A tour will begin at 6 p.m. and adjourn to the council chambers at city hall at 6:30 p.m. or immediately following the walking tour.