CENTER — Center Police Department Police Chief Dale Meek announced earlier this week that he had accepted another job and will be stepping down from the post. He did not give any details on the position.

“I have been offered a job opportunity that I am unable to pass up,” Chief Meek stated. “It was not an easy decision as I love my little town of Center, the Mrs. and I have our own property we wish to develop outside of Town and so much effort has been expended to develop the Center Police Department with its officers. My last day will be on or around July 1, depending on some projects that need to be completed.”

Chief Meek said the next Coffee with the Chief will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 18, at Center Town Hall. He said CPD Sgt. Aaron Fresquez will likely be named interim chief and will be at the coffee event on Saturday.

“I will be having Sgt. Fresquez join me on Saturday as he will likely be named the Interim Chief and will be there for any questions you may have,” Meek said. “I will be assisting Sgt. Fresquez over the next several months with many of the administrative responsibilities he will have so that we do not lose momentum with many of the initiatives that have been implemented.”

In addition to talking about the transition, Chief Meek said they would like to cover some of the recent vehicle pursuits, the inter-agency teamwork that has been occurring, many of the reckless driving citations CPD has issued and introduce CPD’s new officer, Kendra Adolph.

Adolph is coming to CPD from the Saguache County Jail and will be starting the Flatrock Police Academy on July 5, Meek said.

Meek was selected to guide the Center Police Department in July of 2019 by the Center Town Board. At the time, Meek’s salary was reported to be somewhere in the $60,000 range.

During the interview process with the Town Board, Meek said he began his law enforcement career in Kentucky and then relocated to southern Florida for 10 years. There he served in various capacities, including a brief stint with the FBI’s street gang, violence and drugs task force.

Meek also served in Afghanistan for a year as a tactical consultant and when returned to the States, accepted a law enforcement position in Santa Fe, N.M. He retired from that position to pursue his doctorate in policy and administration but said he missed the law enforcement scene, so applied for the position in Center.