Edmonds mayor names acting chief during search for permanent replacement

EDMONDS — Edmonds Assistant Police Chief Rod Sniffen will serve as acting police chief beginning March 1, Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen announced Tuesday.

Sniffen will serve as chief until the city hires a replacement for Edmonds Police Chief Michelle Bennett, who announced her retirement in October amid budget turmoil. Her last day will be Feb. 28.

Rosen received input from Bennett, human resources, command staff, union members and community members before deciding to appoint Sniffen.

Rosen said key factors in his decision were “continuity of operations, the need for effective leadership during this transition, and a fair process for the eventual selection of the new regular Chief of Police.”

Rosen said he intends to find an internal candidate to fill the permanent chief position. In an internal interest assessment, Sniffen said he would not seek the regular appointment if named acting chief.

“Assigning Assistant Chief Sniffen as Acting Chief ensures that no internal candidate has a real or perceived advantage while providing effective leadership during this transition,” Rosen said in the press release.

Moving forward, Rosen must begin recruitment for the permanent position within 30 days of Bennett’s departure. However, the mayor would have more time if he decides to reorganize the police department, the city noted in its press release. In that case, he would have 60 days to propose a new structure and 30 days after council action to start recruiting.

Edmonds residents will vote on two ballot measures this year that play key parts in bridging the city’s $13 million deficit. If one or both measures fail, Edmonds may have to look into alternative cost-cutting options such as contracting police services with a county sheriff’s department.

Community members can provide input on the permanent chief search in the city’s online survey at surveymonkey.com/r/EPCCommunitySurvey. The survey closes Friday.

Next steps in the recruiting process include making changes to the job description based on community input, opening a formal application and recruiting an interview panel.

Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.