SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl has announced his resignation.
In a statement, Meidl said he plans to "close this chapter" of his law enforcement career after more than 30 years in Spokane. Meidl has been with the department since 2014 and was appointed chief in 2016 by Mayor David Condon.
His last day with the Spokane Police Department (SPD) is Dec. 31, 2023.
Below is the statement Meidl issued regarding his resignation:
After almost 30 years serving the community of Spokane, it is time to close this chapter of my career. It has been an incredible blessing and honor to work every day toward creating a safer community and working with the truly amazing men and women of the Spokane Police Department. I have had the privilege of leading this department during a season that was among the most challenging times faced by law enforcement in decades. There is not a finer group of officers in the entire world, and our city is blessed by the caliber of officers filling the ranks of SPD.
I have worked for two amazing Mayors who have trusted me at the helm of the Spokane Police Department for the past seven years. Mayor Woodward’s support and encouragement, for me personally and the SPD as a whole, during the last four years has been tremendous in helping us retain and attract the brightest talent available. I am grateful for their confidence in me.
I want to thank the men and women of the Spokane Police Department for working tirelessly every day to keep our city safer, committing themselves to being a buffer between those who would prey on others and their victims. They have been relentless in their efforts and passion for the safety of Spokane.
I also would like to thank the Spokane community for the support and encouragement you have given the Spokane Police Department. You as a community are one of the strongest reasons many choose to work for SPD; your unwavering and unabashed public support and encouragement is felt and appreciated by your officers. Please don’t ever lose that, I cannot convey in words how much that is needed.
I thank my family for their support and encouragement. The long hours, the weeknights and weekends attending events to connect with community and represent SPD at as many events as feasible, came at a cost to you all.
Finally, and most importantly, I thank the Lord for His many blessings and stretching me in ways I thought would surely break me. But He was always there for me. I could never have done this without Him.
The Spokane Police Department is full of passionate leaders, all driven to create a safer Spokane using the tools and resources available to them. Spokane can rest assured that their commitment will continue.
I wish Mayor-elect Brown success in continuing the ongoing journey to make Spokane a safe and healthy city.
My last day with the Spokane Police Department will be December 31st.
History with Spokane Police Department
Meidl was appointed as Spokane Police Chief in 2016 by then-Mayor David Condon. Meidl was already serving as the interim chief after SPD Director of Law Enforcement Jim McDevitt stepped down in July 2016. McDevitt was temporarily in the interim chief position after former Chief Frank Straub resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.
Before his interim appointment, Meidl served as the assistant chief.
Spokane City Council voted to confirm Meidl as chief in October 2016.
Preferential treatment allegations
In late March 2023, the Spokane Community Against Racism (SCAR) called for Meidl's resignation, claiming he was using city resources to advance the agenda of a narrow group of powerful business owners in the Spokane area, giving them more power than the average Spokane resident.
SCAR pointed to Chud Wendle and his associates in the Spokane Business and Commercial Property Owners Council (SBCPOC) as the ones receiving this preferential treatment from SPD.
"Instead of serving the public impartially, Chief Meidl has weaponized accountability policies he dislikes to excuse a lack of police response to specific communities and reserved the highest level of public service for his friends," SCAR said in the letter.
SCAR called on Mayor Woodward to begin an open search for a new police chief "with meaningful and inclusive community involvement." They also called on Spokane City Council to use its subpoena power to fully investigate the degree in which Meidl and SPD allegedly used positions and public resources "to advance the political agenda of Chud Wendle and SBCPOC."
An investigation showed Meidl released numerous reports to members of SBCPOC, including data on the shoplifting increase around the city, a "transient crime map" and the city council's response to defunding police. Meidl said he gave the group this information because they wanted "to work with the police department to create a safer downtown."
Spokane City Council members called for an independent investigation into Meidl's alleged conduct in April. Council members said Mayor Nadine Woodward's administration was required to further investigate the claims. However, Woodward made it clear she opposed an investigation.
Following the mayor's response, debates regarding who has the authority to initiate an investigation into the police chief began. According to city code, 'Complaints regarding the chief of police shall be directed to the mayor and investigated by the city’s human resources department.'
Then-council president Breean Beggs said the Office of the Police Ombudsman had the authority to investigate officers under city charter, which was compared to the city's constitution, but city code didn't match. This led to city council voting 6-1 to amend Spokane Municipal Code, allowing the Office of the Police Ombudsman to investigate Meidl.
Community reaction
Mayor Nadine Woodward
This is really bittersweet news. I am excited for Chief Meidl, his family, and his next chapter. At the same time, his departure leaves a huge void in the community and the department.
No one has been more committed to his community and the Spokane Police Department. Chief Meidl has led the department through critical relationship building with the community, advanced the training and tools available to officers to best meet the evolving needs of those they serve, and been a champion for public safety in Spokane neighborhoods and statewide.
Thank you to the chief for his three decades of service as a police officer and the last 7 years as chief. Spokane has big shoes to fill.
Mayor-elect Lisa Brown
The Chief of Police is an incredibly challenging job that requires dedication and sacrifice. I want to thank Chief Meidl for the 30 years of service he has given to our community. In the coming days, I will meet with Chief Meidl and Assistant Chief Justin Lundgren to hear their perspectives on the public safety challenges and opportunities facing Spokane.
City Council President Lori Kinnear
I was saddened to learn of Chief Meidl’s decision to leave his position. I was on the committee that hired him as chief. As the Public Safety chair for Council we worked closely to lower property crime and create better relationships with the community during my first term in office. The many challenges the police department faced in the last three years were handled professionally by the chief. I wish him well in his next endeavor. Certainly he can feel good about the contributions he has made to our city.
As the City Council's Public Safety Chair, I want to express my gratitude for Police Chief Craig Meidl's nearly 30 years of service to our great city. His departure is a significant loss for both the community and the Police Department. Chief Meidl's tenure has been very impactful—marked by his commitment to the community. Over his term of service, he has consistently engaged with the public, our youth, and diverse community groups. His efforts have set a strong standard and laid a solid foundation for future Spokane Police Chiefs to build upon.
Thank you, Chief!
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