PORT TOWNSEND — Conner Daily, an 11-year Port Townsend Police Department veteran, has been named the city’s new police chief.
The former deputy chief’s appointment to succeed Kristen Anderson, who left two months ago, was confirmed Thursday by City Manager David Timmons.
“It’s official,” Timmons said.
“Conner is my choice for police chief. He is just a really genuine person with love for the community. This is his time.”
Daily, 54, has headed the department since Anderson, who served six years, left for a position in Washington, D.C., as a case analysis unit supervisor for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Minor details remain
With only minor details of Daily’s appointment left to negotiate, Timmons said the new chief’s salary will remain within the former chief’s salary range.
Anderson made $74,000 during her last year, leading a department of 14 police officers, 15 volunteers, three reserves and three civilian employees.
A soft-spoken, friendly, bespectacled man with a 22-year career in law enforcement, Daily becomes chief of a city that values interpersonal relationships above all.
“I am honored to have been chosen to represent such a wonderful police department in a great community,” he said Thursday after learning about the official announcement.
City Council members who responded to the news of his appointment were not surprised. All said they were pleased.
“He has proven himself within the department and he has the respect of the community,” Mayor Catharine Robinson said.
“I think he is an excellent choice.”
