Adam Smith
Articles by this Author
Wapato searching for new chief of police
- By Adam Smith
- Published 01/19/2012
- Briefs
- Unrated
By Adam Smith
City of Wapato continues to search for a chief of police, but apparently won’t have to wait much longer to find a permanent hire.
Officials have designated applications for the vacant post will be accepted until January 27, according to the city’s website. The position became available in mid-December last year after the retirement of former Chief Richard Sanchez whose announcement at the time surprised many residents of the approximate 5,000 citizen community.
Sanchez, generally considered very popular, announced his retirement late last year, maintaining his departure came at an appropriate time due to decreases in crime, primarily auto theft and graffiti tagging. Following Sanchez announcement, amid some controversy over the fact there was no employment contract created or authorized by the entire city council, and apparently with little discussion or public review, Mayor Jessie Farias appointed former Wapato career police officer Tracy Rosenow as interim chief. Rosenow, as acting chief, is receiving $25.66 per hour, consistent with the annualized salary of $60,000 the job will pay the successful candidate when hired.
Rosenow was hired seven months ago by the Stillaguamish Tribe in western Washington as a security and law enforcement official. Prior to his current position he was chief of police in Selah for 14 years. Now he wants to return permanently to Wapato where his career began in public service began, more than 30 years ago. Rosenow was first a police officer in Wapato in 1986. Nine years later he became acting police chief in Wapato serving in that capacity during 1995-1996. Currently Rosenow, who resides in Gleed is dividing his time between his duties with the Stillaguamish Tribe and the City of Wapato.
Considering his work experience and ties to the City of Wapato, Rosenow obviously has a very good chance to get the job. If agreed by the council and mayor that Rosenow is the right person to become the permanent chief of police in Wapato, it may well prove to be a good thing for the city.
Currently more than 30 communities surveyed of more than 5,000 residents are seeking Chiefs of Police for tenure. It is often a difficult and arduous process as evidenced by City of Yakima’s problems finding the right fit for a police department that has had significant problems with morale and divisiveness. Particularly difficult issues and problems in communities, such as gang related activity can make finding a chief a long process. Some problems are obviously more easily resolved than others. Dealing with the problems of gangs and their illegal activity often feels like a losing battle for officers, progress being hard to identify or even define. Wapato has made inroads containing crime since Sanchez came into office. Generally statistics for the city show successful suppression of both felonies and misdemeanors; robberies, breaking and entering, auto thefts, shoplifting are all down over approximately the past seven years.
By city charter, the chief of police of Wapato, is primarily responsible to contain crime and arrest criminals, but is additionally charged with overseeing a staff of 2-3 personnel not including dispatch employees, managing a tight budget, communicating with the public, informing the city council and mayor of the day to day, 24/7 machinations of the police department in the city, directing 14 regular duty officers, and three reserve officers. The chief also heads correctional staff who run the 56 bed jail. It is a big job and perhaps the most important position in any municipality.
City of Wapato continues to search for a chief of police, but apparently won’t have to wait much longer to find a permanent hire.
Officials have designated applications for the vacant post will be accepted until January 27, according to the city’s website. The position became available in mid-December last year after the retirement of former Chief Richard Sanchez whose announcement at the time surprised many residents of the approximate 5,000 citizen community.
Sanchez, generally considered very popular, announced his retirement late last year, maintaining his departure came at an appropriate time due to decreases in crime, primarily auto theft and graffiti tagging. Following Sanchez announcement, amid some controversy over the fact there was no employment contract created or authorized by the entire city council, and apparently with little discussion or public review, Mayor Jessie Farias appointed former Wapato career police officer Tracy Rosenow as interim chief. Rosenow, as acting chief, is receiving $25.66 per hour, consistent with the annualized salary of $60,000 the job will pay the successful candidate when hired.
Rosenow was hired seven months ago by the Stillaguamish Tribe in western Washington as a security and law enforcement official. Prior to his current position he was chief of police in Selah for 14 years. Now he wants to return permanently to Wapato where his career began in public service began, more than 30 years ago. Rosenow was first a police officer in Wapato in 1986. Nine years later he became acting police chief in Wapato serving in that capacity during 1995-1996. Currently Rosenow, who resides in Gleed is dividing his time between his duties with the Stillaguamish Tribe and the City of Wapato.
Considering his work experience and ties to the City of Wapato, Rosenow obviously has a very good chance to get the job. If agreed by the council and mayor that Rosenow is the right person to become the permanent chief of police in Wapato, it may well prove to be a good thing for the city.
Currently more than 30 communities surveyed of more than 5,000 residents are seeking Chiefs of Police for tenure. It is often a difficult and arduous process as evidenced by City of Yakima’s problems finding the right fit for a police department that has had significant problems with morale and divisiveness. Particularly difficult issues and problems in communities, such as gang related activity can make finding a chief a long process. Some problems are obviously more easily resolved than others. Dealing with the problems of gangs and their illegal activity often feels like a losing battle for officers, progress being hard to identify or even define. Wapato has made inroads containing crime since Sanchez came into office. Generally statistics for the city show successful suppression of both felonies and misdemeanors; robberies, breaking and entering, auto thefts, shoplifting are all down over approximately the past seven years.
By city charter, the chief of police of Wapato, is primarily responsible to contain crime and arrest criminals, but is additionally charged with overseeing a staff of 2-3 personnel not including dispatch employees, managing a tight budget, communicating with the public, informing the city council and mayor of the day to day, 24/7 machinations of the police department in the city, directing 14 regular duty officers, and three reserve officers. The chief also heads correctional staff who run the 56 bed jail. It is a big job and perhaps the most important position in any municipality.