Lawrence Police Chief David Hofmann to retire on Friday, city announces
Update: The City of Lawrence on March 4, 2022 said Hofmann has been chosen as Mayor Steve Collier's chief of staff. The city in its announcement said Hofmann will oversee staff members within the mayor's office, starting March 7, 2022.
Lawrence Police Chief David Hofmann, who oversaw the construction of the department’s new headquarters and body camera program, will retire after six years in the position.
The City of Lawrence in a news release announced Hofmann’s departure, with his last day being Friday, Jan. 28.
“(Hofmann) has proven to be one of the most admired Chiefs in Central Indiana and it gives me great pleasure to see the impact that he has had upon the city of Lawrence,” Lawrence Mayor Steve Collier said in a prepared statement.
Hofmann took over as police chief Jan. 1, 2016 after previously working with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for nearly 20 years. Since then, officials said he was instrumental in the design and construction of the city’s new police headquarters, which opened in 2019.
Hofmann also oversaw the implementation of the Lawrence Police Department's body camera program within a year of him stepping into the job. The department came to equip its 44 patrol officers with cameras in 2017 as well as mount cameras above the back seats and on the dashboards of patrol cars.
The department received national attention in Hofmann’s tenure as chief when the reality TV show "Live PD" featured its officers. The show broadcasted a live ride-along with officers across the country, including at the Lawrence Police Department.
Officials in their announcement of Hofmann’s retirement said the department was featured on 98 episodes.
Cable network A&E canceled the show in 2020 in the wake of George Floyd's murder. Producer further acknowledged producers had destroyed footage of Javier Ambler's death during a police stop in 2019 in Texas.
More: 'Live PD' cancellation brings abrupt end to Lawrence Police's brush with fame
Yet in his retirement announcement, Hofmann said the three accomplishments are not what he will remember most about his time as chief.
“I am most astounded by the amazing work done every day and night by the great people who are the Lawrence Police Department,” he said.
Deputy Chief Gary Woodruff will serve as interim until Collier names a new chief.
Contact Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com or 317-503-7514.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Lawrence Police Chief David Hofmann to retire
