Bountiful Police Chief Paul Rapp met with members of his staff and then quietly left his office Thursday, ending a 26-year career in law enforcement.

"It is with great emotion that I retire this position," Rapp said in a statement Thursday.

"During my tenure, we have advanced the professionalism of the Bountiful police with educational requirements for promotions, extensive training, and a mandatory physical fitness program," Rapp said. "I commend the members of the Bountiful Police Department for their goal achievement and professionalism in law enforcement."

Rapp's replacement was picked from within the depart- ment: Sgt. Tom Ross will take over as the new chief.

"I've got some big shoes to fill," Ross said in an interview with the Deseret Morning News on Thursday.

Ross also has some big goals he wants to begin implementing.

"We'll put together programs that will put us more in a proactive response," he said. "Address issues before they become a huge problem for the department."

Crime has been growing in Bountiful, even though the city itself has pretty much built itself out. Ross said he attributes any increase in criminal activity to impacts from surrounding communities, including Salt Lake City.

Ross said he wants to stop crime before it starts by imple- menting ambitious crime analysis programs. It involves tracking crimes as they happen, keeping tabs on crimes in neighboring communities and using computer databases to pinpoint areas where police resources would help reduce crime.

"I want hard numbers to tell me if we're doing the right things," he said.

The incoming chief said the crime analysis could help officers be proactive, such as distributing information to areas being hit hard by vehicle burglaries or other property crimes.

The crime analysis data will be implemented beginning in January but won't fully be used for at least the first six months.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com