COTATI HIRES FOR POLICE, DEVELOPMENT JOBS

The city of Cotati has hired a community development director and a lieutenant for its police department.

Vicki Parker, who was deputy director of the redevelopment agency in Santa Barbara, takes over a position that has been filled for two years by Marsha Sue Lustig.

Lustig will return to being the assistant to City Manager Dianne Thompson.

Parker also was a private industry consultant in San Diego, dealing with large-scale developments, and has expertise in general plan updates and policy initiatives.

She takes over on July 11. She will earn $105,000 a year.

William French, a 26-year veteran with the Contra Costa Sheriff's Department, has been hired as a police department lieutenant, filling a position that has been vacant for several years. As the department's only lieutenant, French will be the second-in-command to Chief Michael Parish. French will earn $88,000 a year.

The small department has two sergeants and six officers.

French has been a watch commander and a contract Chief of Police in Orinda, and worked in undercover narcotics and with a special services team targeting high-crime areas.

You can reach Staff Writer

Bob Norberg at 521-5206 or bob.norberg@pressdemocrat.com.