Selah could have new police chief by end of October

SELAH — Selah city officials anticipate hiring a new police chief by the end of October.

The city received three applications for the position. One applicant is local, another is from Western Washington and the third is from the Tri-Cities area.

City Supervisor Frank Sweet said the applications will be reviewed this week, and interviews will be scheduled beginning Oct. 13. The finalists will be interviewed by Sweet, Mayor Bob Jones and a City Council member.

The new chief will replace Rick Gutierrez, who abruptly resigned in March after serving 18 years with the department — more than five as chief. Since his resignation, Lt. Stacy Dwarshuis has served as acting chief.

Gutierrez and the city signed a separation agreement, in which Gutierrez was awarded six months’ salary of $36,606, six months of medical insurance valued at $4,600 and accrued sick leave and vacation time. Gutierrez and city officials also agreed not to sue or criticize one another.

At the time of the resignation, Jones said the parting was amicable. Gutierrez said he couldn’t comment because doing so would violate his agreement with the city.