Kearney police chief to lead Nebraska State Patrol

Kearney Police Chief Bryan Waugh will be the 19th Nebraska State Patrol superintendent.

Gov. Jim Pillen announced the appointment on Thursday. Prior to Waugh taking over as chief at the Kearney Police Department in 2019, he worked at the La Vista Police Department in various roles for 21 years, including four as captain. He also spent four years of active duty as a U.S. Air Force security police/law enforcement specialist at Offutt Air Force Base.

“Chief Waugh brings over 30 years of law enforcement experience, marked by innovation, collaboration, and a public servant’s heart,” Pillen said. "I am confident we’ve chosen the right person to lead the patrol and build on its 88-year-old legacy.”

Waugh, who will start June 2, said the biggest challenge facing the State Patrol is recruiting and retaining new troopers.

“We are facing a crisis when it comes to recruiting, hiring and retaining the best and the brightest to serve their communities in policing,” Waugh said. “The goal will be just to reimagine and to perhaps look for creative, innovative ways.”

State Sen. Stan Clouse was Kearney mayor from 2006-2024 and hired Waugh as Kearney Police Chief. He said Waugh’s professionalism stood out.

“I can tell with the officers that he's hired, and just the culture that he changed, it was truly amazing,” Clouse said. “I take a lot of pride in the fact that your officers that come up and say, ‘Hello, sir, how you doing?’ Just very professional. To me, that says a lot about the leadership of Brian.”

Waugh, who was chosen over three other candidates, takes over for Col. John Bolduc who is retiring on Sunday. Bolduc has served in the role since 2017.

“I'm proud that I have been part of this team, and Nebraskans can be proud of the State Patrol,” Bolduc said. “They can be assured that under Chief Waugh’s leadership, this excellence will continue.”

Lt. Col. Jeff Roby, the Patrol’s assistant superintendent, will lead the organization in the interim.