Tufts named chief of police

John Tufts is the new chief of police in Grand Coulee.

Mayor Chris Christopherson named Tuft, to the applause of council members, at the city council meeting Tuesday night.

Tufts, a 30-year veteran of the department, had been acting as interim chief since shortly after the retirement of Mel Hunt on Oct. 1.

Tufts was one of the top three candidates for the job and his name along with two others was advanced to the mayor for consideration for the appointment. When the mayor made the announcement, it was apparent from the reaction, that council members would approve his choice.

At the meeting Tuesday night was Alan Cain, chair of the Civil Service Commission. The commission had as its first task to find a chief for the mayor.

Mayor Christopherson praised Tufts and said it was a natural appointment.

It was apparent from the reaction that Tufts had both the council members and the handful of people in the audience in his corner and when named they applauded also.

Tufts, an Electric City resident, has been with the department since 1984 and a sergeant since 2002.

The new chief had indicated that he planned to apply for the position shortly after Hunt’s retirement. A total of six put in their applications, and all went through oral exams in January.

The Civil Service Commission, with all new members, has been working on the process for several months.

The other two candidates whose names were advanced for the mayor’s consideration were not named at the meeting.

Late last fall the mayor presented, and the council passed, an ordinance that stated the council would be able to vote on the mayor’s choice.

Tuft’s salary as chief was not announced by the mayor.