The city of Alliance has named a veteran law enforcement officer from Colorado as its new chief of police.
Phillip Lukens succeeds John Kiss, whose retirement after 21 years as chief and 32. His appointment became effective Monday.
Lukens has 23 years of experience in law enforcement and comes to Alliance from Louisville, Colorado. He’s also worked for the Lafayette, Erie, and University of Colorado-Boulder police departments.
Lukens is a native of northeast Colorado, born and raised in Sterling. He says the similarities of the two areas – a small city with a strong agricultural community – helped lead him to Alliance.
Lukens says he’s “honored to join the team of the great men and women who dedicate their lives to the community of Alliance” as members of the police department, adding that “serving businesses and citizens is a delight.”
He pledges to build on the strengths and success of Chief Kiss, and says he’s committed to open communication,
Lukens is a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Staff and Command, FBI LEEDA, and the International Chiefs of Police Leadership in Police Organizations.
He’s also a Crash Reconstruction Expert, has been trained in CAP, CERT, and Crisis Intervention Teams, and has numerous community policing designations.