It’s been a month of quiet farewells and anticipated goodbyes, but on Tuesday, Sept. 14, the City of Oakley will officially bid adieu to Oakley Police Chief Chris Thorsen with a community open house at City Hall from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Thorsen will be leaving his post at the City of Oakley at the end of the month to accept a promotion to the rank of captain with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

“This (open house) will be a great opportunity for members of the community to drop by and personally thank Chris for his outstanding service to Oakley and to congratulate him on his new assignment with the Sheriff’s Office,” said Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery. “Chris has been an integral part of our team and we will miss him.”

Attendees at the open house can also meet Oakley’s new police chief, Bani Kollo, who will be the fourth chief of police to lead the Oakley Police Department since the city’s incorporation.

“Chief Kollo was selected from a group of very qualified candidates, but he stood out as the best fit for the organization and the one that provides the best customer-service personality that matches the community’s needs,” said Montgomery.

Thorsen, who has been Oakley’s police chief since 2005, said that while he leaves the city with mixed emotions, he’s confident Kollo will be a strong and solid addition to Oakley.

“I consider it an honor to have served with and for so many great people,” said Thorsen. “Leaving Oakley is difficult, but it will be good for me to continue to grow in my career. I leave knowing that Oakley is well served and led by a strong and effective chief and police department.”