Who is Kern from First Blood and what is their importance?

Kern is the captain of the state police. Kern should have been in charge of the search for Rambo from the beginning, but Teasle managed to retain control by going after Rambo immediately rather than waiting for morning. Kern is in charge when Teasle comes out of the woods and too injured to remain in charge. However, Kern allows Teasle to take part in the planning and execution of a new search for Rambo. Kern is a weak leader, a man who cannot make decisions easily because he is always concerned about how his actions will reflect on his career.