Job is a homecoming for new Lower Elwha Klallam police chief

PORT ANGELES — The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe has hired one of its own to lead its police department.

With just two weeks on the job, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Police Chief Sam White said he is thankful to return to the department where he started his law enforcement career and that he is eager to build relationships with the community and develop new programs.

“It’s really nice to come home,” White said. “I’ve gotten a really warm welcome.”

Tribal officials did not provide White’s salary.

White said that among his goals is for the department to focus on community-oriented policing and building relationships with the youth, the elders and the community.

He said he wants to see the department finish establishing mutual aid agreements with Clallam County agencies and wants the department to be recognized as a professional organization that is good with youth, is service-oriented and firm but fair with law enforcement.

“In a smaller community you get to know the people better and that’s why it’s important to have a community-oriented policing approach to it,” he said. “Build your reputation with the youth, build your reputation with the elders, build your reputation with the community. It takes more involvement in community activities.”

The youth are the future of the tribe, he said. By building relationships with the youth he hopes not only to help kids get back on the correct path, but to find youth who are interested in law enforcement.

White replaces former Elwha Police Chief Jeffery Gilbert, who resigned in November after serving the tribe for a year and a half. At the time, tribal officials said there had been high turnover among officers, which they said might have been caused in part by lower salaries.

In January, officials said the tribal council approved a new pay schedule, which is now being implemented. Job postings show that starting salary for an entry-level cadet is $25.83 per hour and starting salary for lateral hire starts at $27.12 per hour.

“I’m proud of the tribal council because they have invested in law enforcement, they have invested in their youth programs … and they have worked on trying to provide financial security for the tribe,” White said.

White started his law enforcement career with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in 1996, where he worked for 12 years. He rose through the ranks from patrol officer to training manager, corporal and eventually sergeant — the second in command position.

Following his time serving his own tribe, White worked for seven years as a contract trainer with the state Criminal Justice Training Commission, teaching defensive tactics, use of force, firearms and CPR, he said.

He then was the chief of police for about four years each at the Makah Tribe, the Suquamish Tribe and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe.

White said through that work he has gained a reputation for rebuilding police departments.

He said training is how he initially got into law enforcement and that he prides himself in having rigorous training programs that other agencies would be able to participate in.

White said he hopes to see the police department work with other tribal departments, such as the health department, to “put together a collaborative approach to attack the opioid issues and other issues in the community.”

Before implementing any new programs, White’s top priority is to stabilize the department by filling two vacant full-time officer positions, he said.

The department is authorized to have six patrol officers, one sergeant, one lieutenant and a chief.

“My goal here is to really train the guys, provide an environment that allows them to be happy with their employment,” he said. “I’m not a micro-manager, so I like to train the guys to do their jobs. I want to foster an environment where they are happy to come to work and proud of the work they are doing.”

________

Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.