BVPD Chief Farmer retiring

Bella Vista’s chief of police, Ken Farmer, has announced that he will be retiring May 31, after seven years as chief and 32 years on the force.

“I’ve worked patrol, criminal investigation and administration before I was appointed chief,” Farmer said.

The decision, he said, was partly financial — because he signed up for a deferred retirement plan that locked in his pension. That pension was no longer getting the raises that it previously did.

“It’s costing me my raises in my pension,” he said.

While he is on his way out, Farmer said, he’s still planning to stay busy, and he’ll spend two months training his replacement, whether that individual is hired internally or externally.

“I don’t intend to just wrap up and go away,” he said.

With the department no longer taking up his time, he said, he’ll work on some things around the house and pursue

his hobbies, including motorcycles.

Farmer said he has a Harley Davidson Road Glide, which he’d like to take on a long trip.

But while the former chief is off riding, the department will be settling in with their new, to-be-determined chief.

Capt. Tim Cook said the

retirement leaves him both happy and sad.

He’s glad to see Farmer able to spend more time with his family after a lengthy career, he said.

“I’ve worked with chief Farmer so long that he’s a part of my family,” Cook said. “But I’m sad that I’m losing him.”

Cook said that Farmer has helped the department move in the direction it needs to, and helped him personally develop and become a better officer.

It also helps, he said, to

have a good friend he can discuss matters with.

“That’s what I’m going to miss most,” he said, “having a great mentor and friend.”

Shelley Frederick, the department’s secretary, said he’s become a public figure.

“Any time I go out in public and people ask me where I work,” she said, “the first thing they say is always ‘you must know Kenny Farmer.’”

She’s worked with him for a long time, she said,

and she expects it will be a difficult transition for her and the rest of the department.

“During his time as chief, he’s had all kinds of good and bad,” she said. “I think he’s taken it all in stride.”

He’s never failed to be professional, courteous and capable, she said.

Farmer said he’ll miss the department, but that’s only natural.

“You don’t do something this long,” he said, “and not become attached to the work or the people.”