The City of Snoqualmie announced via press release on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 that after a five month process, it had finally selected a new police chief – Mr. Perry Phipps.
Mr. Perry Phipps was chosen to replace interim chief Jim Schaeffer’ who took over in June when SPD Chief Steve McCulley unexpectedly retired. Scheffer had served the Snoqualmie Police Department for 23 years before retiring in 2012.
Phipps takes over the helm of the Snoqualmie Police Department, which serves both Snoqualmie and North Bend, in January 2017 after being sworn in (pending approval of the council) at the January 10th City Council meeting.
Phipps was most recently the police captain for the Visalia Police Department in Visalia, California, located about 230 miles southeast of San Francisco in the agricultural area of the San Joaquin Valley, with a population of about 125,000.
According to the press release, since 1986, Phipps held several positions in Visalia including police officer, agent, sergeant, and lieutenant. Prior to that, he served as a police officer for the Carpentaria Police Department in California. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management & Organizational Development, and a Master of Arts degree in Leadership & Organizational Studies, both from Fresno Pacific University in California.
After interviews with Mayor Larson, City of Snoqualmie administration, city department directors, two Snoqualmie City Council members, North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing, police department staff, and several community members, as well as extensive testing and background checks, Mayor Larson selected Phipps from a wide field of applicants and a short list of four candidates.
“I am confident Perry will be a great addition to our Police Department and the city as a whole,” said Mayor Larson. “We have experienced a time of transition and look forward to the progress his leadership will bring.”
City Administrator Bob Larson said Perry brings with him extensive on-the-street experience, as well as broad and deep management capabilities, adding, “He will be leading police personnel that serve the cities of Snoqualmie and North Bend. We are certain he will ensure a healthy and safe environment for both communities.”
Mayor Larson said the city was grateful to interim Chief Schaeffer for stepping in to serve while they searched for a new police chief, praising him for his guidance during the transition and saying, “We couldn’t be more grateful.”
[**The Snoqualmie Police Department chief and captain salaries and expenses are partially funded through a contract with the City of North Bend.**]
