SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Police will be looking for a new chief to add to its wall of history.
Joan Butler said it's an important role that will take a lot of time and care to fill.
"If we’re lucky, we'll continue to find chiefs who can come in and fill some pretty big shoes," Butler said.
Butler is not only a Spokane citizen, but also chair of the police advisory committee. It's a role she's held since the 1980s.
"We serve as a liaison to the chief," Butler said. "Anyone in the community who has a concern or question can come to a member of the police advisory committee and we have a conduit straight to the chief and then he responds back to the individual citizens or what concerns or comments they have coming in.”
The committee is made up of one city council member, educators, organizational leaders and others in the community.
In addition to be a direct channel to the chief, the PAC also serves as one of the screening groups for hiring new chiefs.
"We usually get a lot of applications from which to choose," Butler said. "Then it's interviewing, whittling down, who meets the qualifications, criteria, do they bring the attitude to public policing we want in Spokane? Then once we get down to final candidates, then we bring in these community groups to interview each candidate."
The final decision is up to the mayor of Spokane.
Butler said the hiring process could take months, meaning an interim chief could serve as a placeholder for a while.
"It's a very thoughtful process," Butler said.
Butler said in her time as chair, she's worked with the last eight Spokane police chiefs. She said she's enjoyed working with the chiefs who care about the community and listening to their citizens.
She said outgoing police chief Craig Meidl has both of those qualities.
"We've ended up with some good leadership and among them is Craig Meidl," Butler said. "Craig is one of these people who are very easy to work with and he has high expectations."
Butler said it's bittersweet news Chief Meidl is resigning from his position at the end of the year.
She said he has set the bar high for his replacement.
"This is a community that will be involved," Butler said. "People feel free to speak their ideas. Coming to Spokane, you're going to find a lot of balance between conservative ideas and progressive ideas. A small city-wise, but big enough to allow opportunity for growth and opportunities to bring what your vision would be for where we are. We’ve come here and here and here and what would the new candidate offer to build upon what has already been achieved here."
Dec. 31 will be Chief Meidl's last day with Spokane Police.
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