Appointment of Tumwater Police Chief now requires confirmation by city council

The Tumwater City Council adopted an ordinance that requires the mayor’s appointment for police chief to be confirmed by the council. 

At a meeting on Tuesday, May 19, Administrative Services Director Michelle Sutherland explained the ordinance amends a section of the Tumwater Municipal Code dealing with the appointment and duties of the police chief.

The code allowed the mayor to decide the appointment of the police chief on their own. The only city positions that need the council’s confirmation are the city administrator, city attorney and finance director. 

Acting Tumwater Police Department Chief Carlos Quiles voiced his support for the ordinance, saying it would allow the community to express whether they support the mayor’s pick. 

“I'm a firm believer that to be in this position, you have to have the support of the council ... the community ... and the folks inside the organization as well,” Quiles said. 

Asked whether Olympia or Lacey has the same appointment system, City Attorney Karen Kirkpatrick said Tumwater’s government structure is different, though other cities in the state share the same model. 

Before the council unanimously approved the ordinance, members commended Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff’s direction. 

“In today's political environment, anybody that has power seems to be consolidating it,” said Council Member Brandon Weedon. “For you to go ahead and give up some of your power, or the mayor's power in the future, just speaks to your character that you're willing to go ahead and listen to everybody on this board.” 

Several council members added that the new appointment system will create more transparency in the hiring process. 

Council member Peter Agabi asked what potential problems the change could introduce. Kirkpatrick responded that should the council decide not to confirm the mayor’s appointment, the mayor would have to choose a second candidate among the applicants and go through the confirmation process again.