Kingfisher’s new part-time code enforcement officer is a familiar face – career Kingfisher police officer Jeff Townsend, who retired in December 2018 after nearly 30 years on the force.

Townsend is back in uniform to replace Officer Jason East, who handled enforcement of the city’s civil codes for nearly five years.

Townsend started last week in his new position and is in the process of updating his law enforcement certifications.

Although he retired as assistant police chief, Townsend has served in many capacities on the police force, including a previous stint in code enforcement.

He also played a significant role in digitizing the police department’s report system from a pen-and-paper to a fully computerized model and shepherded the staff through several upgrades.

Townsend’s 20-hours-a-week duties also will include assisting with animal control, but he remains certified to serve in any law enforcement capacity.

As code enforcement officer, Townsend will work with home and business owners to address code violations as well as make recommendations to the city commission concerning any official corrective action.

“We’re glad to have him back on board with the police department,” Chief David Catron said. “He has years of experience to offer in a lot of areas.”

“It’s good to be back on the force, even just part time,” Townsend said. “I enjoy working in this community.”

Townsend and his wife Lael have three sons: Dason, a mechanical engineering student at Oklahoma State University; Dynton, a freshman at Northern Oklahoma College in Stillwater, and Dexton, a fourth grader.