Reid PD Chief Kolentus retires; former sheriff Cappa becomes chief

Mike Emery, Richmond Palladium-Item
·2 min read
Chief Randy Kolentus and Assistant Chief Jeff Cappa take their oaths during a swearing in ceremony Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, for the Reid Health Police Force.
Chief Randy Kolentus and Assistant Chief Jeff Cappa take their oaths during a swearing in ceremony Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, for the Reid Health Police Force.

RICHMOND, Ind. — The officer who transitioned the Reid Health Police Department from a security team has retired.

Randy Kolentus will be replaced by Jeff Cappa, who has been Kolentus' assistant chief, according to a news release. Dennis Perkins, who previously served as a Reid PD captain, becomes the assistant chief, with Brian Bolin promoted to captain. Kolentus, Cappa and Perkins were among the first four Reid officers to take their oaths.

Kolentus spent 16 years at Reid Health as the leader of its security department and now the police department. He had spent 28 years with Richmond Police Department, where he helped found the SWAT team and was appointed its first commander.

"The past 16 years with Reid Health have been amazing," Kolentus said in the release. "My time here has allowed me to learn and grow both personally and professionally. I'm thankful to my wife, Carrie. She has been my mentor and inspiration for so many years.

"I'm also very thankful to Reid Health and the Reid Governing Board for all the support and vision over these years."

Kolentus served six years as president of the Indiana chapter of the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety, and in 2021, he was honored as a Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest honor awarded by Indiana's governor. Kolentus was national runner-up for 2022 Healthcare Director of the Year by Campus Safety Magazine.

"It has been such an honor to work with Randy," said Pam Jones, Reid Health's vice president/general counsel. "Coming from a law enforcement family, I appreciate the integrity, hard work, sacrificial service, and genuine commitment to our community with which Randy has led our police department.

"Although his retirement is well-deserved, he leaves behind a tremendous legacy of excellence in law enforcement leadership."

Cappa has 38 years of law enforcement experience, including eight years as Wayne County's sheriff and the past three years as assistant chief at Reid. He has served as Indiana Sheriff's Association president and on the Law Enforcement Training Board for the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. He is also an elected member of Richmond Common Council.

"It has been an honor to work for and with Chief Kolentus as our team has transitioned from a security division to a full-time law enforcement agency," Cappa said. "I considered it a great distinction to be chosen the next chief of police and to continue building on the vision put into place by Randy."

Chief Randy Kolentus (from left), Assistant Chief Jeff Cappa, Capt. Dennis Perkins and Officer Steve Smith took their oaths Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, as the Reid Health Police Force's first officers.
Chief Randy Kolentus (from left), Assistant Chief Jeff Cappa, Capt. Dennis Perkins and Officer Steve Smith took their oaths Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, as the Reid Health Police Force's first officers.

Perkins served 20 years with the Connersville Police Department before joining Reid three years ago.

"Jeff and Dennis have such a wealth of experience and knowledge. We are in good hands," Jones said. "They are committed to taking the police department to the next level. I am confident great things are going to continue to happen for RHPD and the Reid Health community they serve."

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Reid PD Chief Kolentus retires; former sheriff Cappa becomes chief