A change in leadership is occurring at the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station this Sunday, with Capt. Kelly Fraser taking the helm from Buddy Goldman, who has been promoted to commander and will be taking an assignment at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Headquarters.

Capt. Kelly Fraser will assume command at the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station on Sunday. (photo courtesy of the LASD)

Fraser is a 24-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, and most recently was assigned to the Emergency Operations Bureau of the department’s Office of Homeland Security Division. She has also served as lieutenant for the sheriff’s department’s Temple City Station, and as a sergeant with the Emergency Operations Bureau’s Tactical Planning Unit.

Fraser said she is looking forward to starting her new position, and added that one of the most important things is improving the quality of life for residents.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to work in the City of West Hollywood,” Fraser said. “I think my predecessor, Commander Goldman, has done an outstanding job in addressing the unique needs of the community, and I hope to build on that. I also plan to support the troops who are out there every day doing the job.”

City officials have hailed Fraser as a welcome addition to the station, including West Hollywood City Councilman Jeffrey Prang, a former assistant to Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.

“I had the opportunity to meet Captain Fraser when I worked for the sheriff’s department, and I think she is a brilliant appointment,” Prang said. “She has a resume that demonstrates a lot of depth and a lot of experience. She is a no-nonsense law enforcement professional, and I think she will be a great asset to the City of West Hollywood.”

Fraser will command the station’s 165 deputies and professional personnel. Lt. Gary Honings, the acting captain at the station until Fraser assumes command, said everyone is looking forward to the change in leadership.

“We are very excited that Captain Fraser is about to assume command at the station, and I believe it will be a very smooth transition,” Honings said. “She has experience in some very visible jobs throughout the department, and most recently, she was involved in the Emergency Operations Bureau, which means that anytime there is an emergency in the county, Kelly has been on it.”

Kristen Cook, the public safety manager for West Hollywood, said city officials learned in February that Goldman was being promoted. The sheriff’s department provided the names of potential candidates for the position, and Fraser was selected from six individuals who were interviewed by the city manager and all members of the West Hollywood City Council. Cook said one reason Fraser stood out was that she had prior experience in assisting personnel in West Hollywood with major public events such as the Halloween Carnival and the Christopher Street West L.A. Pride event.

“She is very familiar with this area, and additionally, we found her to be very personable and friendly,” Cook said. “She is someone with a tremendous amount of field experience, and has the right philosophy and personality to fit with this community.”

Goldman was captain at the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station for a little more than three years, but has been with the sheriff’s department for more than 20 years. In his new position at sheriff’s headquarters, he will work closely with Baca and other high level officials on ways to address budgetary challenges facing the department.