SEQUIM — Sequim Police Sergeant John Southard has been promoted to deputy chief with an effective date of May 1.
He will replace Mike Hill, who was sworn in as police chief on March 1.
Southard was hired as a police officer in 2007 and promoted to sergeant in 2017.
Since March 2023, he has served as the department’s administrative sergeant.
Prior to joining the department, Southard served for more than 20 years in the U.S. Army National Guard and was a dive officer and research scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Southard has a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental policy and assessment from Western Washington University in Bellingham.
“We are fortunate to have someone with John’s background with the U.S. Army National Guard and as a research scientist in addition to his time with the Sequim Police Department,” Hill said. “These experiences have provided him with expertise in tactics, training and emergency management that have been invaluable to the department and have prepared him for his role as deputy chief.”
As deputy chief, Southard will be responsible for overseeing internal investigations, supervising the department’s sergeants and other supervisors and will stand in for Hill during any absences.
