GHPD Lieutenant Honored for 30 Years of Service

The recognized Lt. William Colberg for 30 years of service to the department. At Monday night's city council meeting, Gig Harbor Police Chief Mike Davis presented Colberg with a plaque.

Colberg started his law enforcement career on Aug. 31, 1970 with the Glendale Police Department in California. This was after four years in the U.S. Air Force as a Military Police Officer where he spent 1 ½ years in Vietnam.

After 11 years with Glendale PD and having reached the rank of sergeant, Colberg decided to move north to Gig Harbor to raise his family. He joined the Gig Harbor Police Department on Dec. 7, 1981. During his 30 years with the department, Colberg has served as the second-in command for the last 23 years.

“Bill does a masterful job in overseeing deployment scheduling, coordinating training, equipment procurement, maintenance of facility and equipment and tending to the operational needs of the department,” Police Chief Mike Davis said.

Colberg has served as the acting police chief after former Police Chief Denny Richard’s retirement in 1995 and former Chief Mitch Barker’s resignation in 2003. In fact, Colberg has outlasted four mayors and five police chiefs during his 30 year with GHPD.

“Lt. Colberg is a powerful asset to the department and takes extreme pride in his job and the reputation of our department,” Davis said. “Whenever I give him a project or task, he is very reliable in completing the task with very little oversight. He is also very effective in balancing the needs of our staff members with the requirements of the department without ever sacrificing his personal integrity or the integrity of our organization.”

“I think one of Bill’s most admirable qualities is his interpersonal skills. He may not always have a high smile on his face, but we all know he is smiling inside,” Davis said.

“He has worked hard at developing relationships within our department based on trust and honesty. Bill understands and recognizes the needs of others, inside and outside our department. He has a very good reputation within our community and serves as an ambassador of goodwill and cooperation amongst local law enforcement agencies.”