Mayor to negotiate with retired Moses Lake chief

RITZVILLE – Mayor Scott Yaeger last week cast the deciding vote in the decision to negotiate with retired Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr for an interim position.

With the City Council split 3-3, Yaeger voted to begin negotiations with Fuhr as a temporary replacement for Police Chief Dave McCormick, who is retiring Sept. 30.

Councilwomen Jen Verhey, Michelle Plumb and Brooke Scheel supported the interim negotiations proposed by Yaeger. Council members Dennis Chamberlain, Mike Schrag and Jessica Quinn opposed it.

In a letter to the council, Yaeger noted advertising and recruitment efforts via the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and other outlets “are not currently showing any progress in obtaining qualified applicants.”

Attached to the letter was Fuhr’s resume detailing 30 years of experience as police chief in Moses Lake and Rathdrum, Idaho, as well as his service as deputy sheriff, detective and undersheriff for Adams County. He started his law enforcement career in 1992 as a patrol officer in Ritzville.

“He is well-respected in the law enforcement community,” Yaeger’s letter said. “I believe he can help the city of Ritzville Police Department in refining our current police operations.”

The letter further stated Fuhr’s connections within the law enforcement community may help to facilitate the recruitment efforts for a full-time police chief.

During the meeting, Yaeger said he would likely name an interim chief for six months to allow for recruitment and hiring. But he noted that term will remain flexible, depending on whether qualified applicants apply for a permanent position.

“As you know, this is a very hot and controversial topic,” the newly-seated Councilwoman Scheel said. “What is the reasoning behind not using a local as an interim?”

“I need supervision, management and budgeting experience,” Yaeger said. “Nobody local possesses that experience.”

Councilman Schrag asked Chief McCormick about his level of experience when he became police chief. McCormick responded that he had served in a reserve capacity for four-and-a-half years and five years as a full-time officer.

“But that was nearly 40 years ago,” McCormick said. “Times have changed.”

“We need to hire someone with longevity who has ties to the community,” Schrag said. “We need to give a local person a chance.”

Ritzville resident Glen Stockwell, Schrag and Councilman Dennis Chamberlain have lobbied for local policeman Matt Carlson to be considered for the position.

But Carlson has not tendered a cover letter or resume stating his qualifications, according to Yaeger.

Although Yaeger received hand-delivered papers detailing Carlson’s job experience, the mayor said he did not consider the documents sufficient.

“Those documents were not labeled, dated or signed,” Yaeger said.

“It’s very important for us to follow laws, policies and procedures,” city Clerk/Treasurer Julie Flyckt told the council. “As a council, you’re considering someone who has not applied for the position.”

Councilwoman Plumb agreed.

“You can’t apply on someone else’s behalf,” she said.

“This is a very hard decision for the future of the department,” City Attorney John Kragt added. “A guy like this [Fuhr] might bring you a perfect candidate. Then your problems are solved.

“To sit here and say, ‘We don’t want to start contract negotiations because a particular person may or may not apply,’ especially while the clock is ticking toward Sept. 30, carries a lot of liability.”

Should the mayor and Fuhr reach an agreement, any contract would have to be brought to the council for final approval.