GRPD chief plans career change

After working with the Green River Police Department since 1992, Chris Steffen will hang up his uniform and take a position with the Muley Fanatics Foundation later this year.

Steffen said he doesn't plan to leave his post until mid November, but announced his intent to leave in an email last week. Steffen said he'll definitely miss the people he works with throughout the police department and city and believes he will struggle to adapt to life outside of law enforcement, but said he's excited for the new opportunity.

For Steffen, a lifelong outdoorsman, he first became involved with the foundation about a year after it was established and volunteered on the foundation's project allocation committee, ultimately becoming chairman of the committee. He became cochair and later chairman of the Southwest Wyoming chapter. It was during this time he noticed how busy founders Joshua Coursey and Joey Faigl were with the organization and jokingly told them they needed help. They took him up on the offer.

Since its inception in 2012, the MFF has grown to encompass 11 chapters in Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. Steffen said since he's been involved with the organization, he's fallen in love with the work, believing the foundation is a great cause.

Steffen started working in the police department February of 1992 as a patrol officer. Working his way through the department, he worked as a patrol corporal and patrol lieutenant. He also worked in the department's investigation's division as a juvenile detective and detective sergeant, as well as served on the department's special response team, ultimately becoming the team commander, a position he held for six years. On Jan. 2. 2012, he replaced John Love as the GRPD's police chief.

"It's been an honor to serve the community," Steffen said. "I hope I've had an impact in improving the department and the community. It's been great working for the city."

One of the most unique experiences he's had was working as the city's interim city administrator. Steffen served in this capacity after former administrator Marty Black decided to move back to Florida for a job opportunity. He served for one year until the city hired Reed Clevenger. Steffen said the experience gave him an appreciation for the different departments within the city, as well as how important each department is to the city as a whole. It also taught him an important lesson.

"It taught me that I'd never want the job," Steffen said with a laugh.