Tenino’s next police chief will likely be named later this week.
That’s according to Mayor Wayne Fournier, who said Friday that the city was wrapping up the process to select the candidate to succeed interim Chief John “Hutch” Hutchings, who’s led the city’s police department since June.
“Interim Chief Hutchings has been the master of the process and he’s done an excellent job putting that together. It’s had some community engagement. He’s just done an excellent job shepherding the whole thing,” Fournier said.
Last Monday, Nov. 15, the city interviewed four candidates who applied for the position. The application process closed about three weeks ago, Fournier said.
The chosen applicant will likely make between $61,688 and $76,869, according to details on the city’s application, and include a comprehensive benefits package.
“Due to the size of the agency, the police chief is a working patrol position subject to rotating shift work. As such, this position is subject to the same physical requirements as a patrol officer. The chief works under the direction of the mayor,” read the application.
As the city gets closer to narrowing down its decision on a preferred candidate, there’s hope that the new chief will be able to establish long term roots. Prior to Hutchings coming on board, the city’s two prior chiefs both left within a year of each other for medical reasons.
Hutchings, has helped the department accommodate and interpret new police accountability laws and small changes to how they do business. According to previous Chronicle reports, he oversees a department of three full-time officers and three reserves.
The city currently pays Hutchings a wage of $5,400 per month, no benefits added.
