SEQUIM — Police Chief Robert Spinks has sent an exit letter to his staff, and noted that his last day of work is to be July 2.
Advertising for a new police chief is under way, and Lt. Sheri Crain will serve as acting chief until a new top officer is found.
Spinks, head of the Sequim force for the past five years, was asked to leave in May by City Manager Steve Burkett, who took Sequim’s helm in October.
Burkett has said that Spinks is a good chief, but no longer a good match for Sequim’s needs.
In essence, the two men’s management styles clash.
Spinks has called himself a leader, not a manager — and didn’t argue with Burkett’s description of him as “bombastic.”
Burkett had urged Spinks to find a new job by May 31 or resign in any case by Dec. 31 — and in recent weeks the chief has unsuccessfully sought positions with the police forces of Lebanon, Ore., Pullman and West Richland.
The search continues on the north Peninsula and across the Northwest, Spinks said, though he wouldn’t elaborate.
New chief could make more
Meantime, Burkett won City Council approval for a 10 percent salary increase for the Sequim police chief job.
The post is being advertised, among other places, on the city’s website, www.ci.Sequim.wa.us, with a pay range of $80,000 to $106,000 per year with “an excellent benefits package.”
Spinks’ salary is $86,299 plus benefits.
As acting chief, Crain will continue earning her current salary of $77,813 unless Burkett adjusts that, said city human resources manager Kathy Brown.
Farewell letter
In his farewell letter to the Police Department, Spinks wrote:
“The application period for police chief applicants remains open and hopefully everyone on staff has forwarded the announcement to as many hopeful chiefs as you know . . . It’s important for you all to have a robust field of candidates for the city manager to select from.
“As you have all noticed over the past weeks, I have slowly drawn myself back from my usual on-point involvement and reduced my visibility in town. This has been done with the intent to allow Lt. Crain an opportunity to refocus her time and efforts and to allow for a smooth transition.
“By next week, most of you will not notice any change in operations when I exit stage right.”
Spinks added that he and his wife, Connie, want to stay in the Sequim area since her parents and grandmother live here.
“Not everyone may be sad to see my departure, and well, that happens,” Spinks continued. “I have, however, appreciated all of your efforts, hard work, sweat and tears over the years.
“I do challenge you all to be more than what you are today — every day should be an opportunity for us all to commit ourselves and the Sequim Police Department to a new level of excellence.
“Hopefully, the next chief will step up to the plate to continue your evolutionary journey forward. I’ll be interested to see who the city manager selects for the community.”
As usual, Spinks signed his missive “COP” — chief of police.
Burkett ready to interview
Burkett, reached Wednesday while attending a regional city managers’ meeting in Shoreline, said applications are coming in from hopefuls across the Northwest.
“I’ll be interviewing [applicants] toward the end of July,” he said. “I’ve also been contacting a few folks I know,” who may prove good candidates.
Crain, for her part, declined to comment on whether she is interested in becoming permanent chief of police in Sequim.
The job summary on the city’s website notes that the current Sequim Police Department comprises the lieutenant, four sergeants, 18 sworn officers, five civilian staffers, 20 volunteers and an annual budget of $2.4 million.
“The chief will be expected to maintain our small-town customer service approach to policing in today’s changing and challenging law enforcement environment,” the summary says.
“He/she will convey a strong yet approachable presence.”
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
