Police chief job no longer protected

Grand Coulee’s city council changed its mind last week about protecting its next police chief by passing an ordinance removing the chief from Civil Service.

Two weeks earlier, the council had voted 4-1 to keep the chief of police position under the protection of the Civil Service Commission, which is designed to shield public employees from political backlash.

This time the vote was 3-2 to remove the chief from Civil Service protection.

Councilmember Erin Nielsen asked why the ordinance was on the agenda, since the council had already voted for protection previously. But later Nielsen voted with the majority.

Mayor Chris Christopherson brought in the city’s law firm to help sell the idea.

The new ordinance threw the council a bone, allowing members to confirm any selection the mayor might make to fill the post. However, the ordinance passed does nothing to provide protection for a new chief from interference from the mayor, the reason for the earlier vote.

Christopherson had two attorneys from the firm here for the Nov. 18 meeting, senior partner Charles Zimmerman and counsel Julie Norton. Both came from Wenatchee for the meeting and for an executive session later. That closed session dealt with the city facing possible litigation, according to the agenda.

Zimmerman presented the ordinance, walking the council members through its provisions.

Councilmember Paul Town-send, one of two voting against the ordinance, said he didn’t plan to leave the matter there.

“I have some things that need to be said about this last vote,” Townsend said.

Councilmember Tom Poplawski joined Townsend in opposing the legislation.

Civil Service Commission Chair Alan Cain said he was appalled by the decision.

“This will make our new chief an at-will employee, serving at the whim of what is becoming an imperial mayor,” Cain said.

Cain, whose commission is currently advertising for new chief applicants said he didn’t know where the Civil Service stands now.

“Any applications we get will go into our filing cabinet under lock and key until things become clear,” he said.