LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Former Lexington police chief and mayoral candidate Ronnie Bastin has been named to Gov. Andy Beshear's team.
Bastin was named the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet deputy secretary. He began his career with the Kentucky Department of Corrections in 1978, serving more than two years as a correctional officer and four years as a classification/treatment officer. In 1984, the Lexington Police Department hired Bastin and he served in a variety of capacities for the next 30 years, including chief of police from 2008 to 2015.
Bastin retired from the Police Department in January 2015 and was appointed to serve as commissioner of public safety in Lexington.
As commissioner, he was responsible for leadership and executive oversight of the Lexington Police Department, Lexington Fire Department, Division of Community Corrections, Division of Enhanced 911, Division of Emergency Management and Building Security for government facilities.
In 2018, Bastin ran against Linda Gorton for the city's mayor seat.
