Longtime Yakima cop now patrols gambling

Yakima, Wash. -- Four months ago, Mike Amos knew practically nothing about gambling.

But he's learning. It's kind of a job requirement.

The man who still holds the record as Yakima's longest-serving commissioned police officer is now working to protect the public as a state gambling commissioner.

"It has been a real learning experience," said Amos, 61. "I'd really like to get to the point where I understand all the terminology the gambling people are talking about."

Amos, who retired after nearly 37 years with the Yakima Police Department in 2007, joined the five-member board overseeing the state Gambling Commission in September.

"I really enjoy working with the House and Senate on law enforcement issues," said Amos, who after finishing two terms on the state's Criminal Justice Training Commission in 2007 asked the governor to consider him for future commission openings.

In September, Gov. Chris Gregoire asked him to bring a law enforcement perspective to the Gambling Commission, which also includes a firefighter and three attorneys.

While commission members are appointed by the governor, they must be approved by the Senate. Last week the Senate Labor, Commerce, and Consumer Protec-tion Committee recom-
mended his confirmation, but it's uncertain when the full Senate will vote,
said Amy Hunter, a Gambling Commission spokeswoman.

"We like to have commissioners from different parts of the state and different background if possible," Hunter said. "We're a law enforcement agency and he obviously has a long law enforcement background.

"He comes across as a well-reasoned person who listens to all the information and makes his decision accordingly."

The six-year term is unpaid. Commissioners meet about once a month to discuss administrative issues, approve new gambling licenses and rule changes, and revoke or suspend licenses.

Amos now spends several hours a week researching how other states deal with state-licensed casinos that want to allow bigger wagering in order to compete with tribal casinos.

"My reading skills
have jumped tremend-ously with all the packets they're sending me," he said. "It's a lot of reading and reviewing, getting some opinions on what other states are doing."

Amos, who lives in Selah and has two children and two grand-children, knows his schedule doesn't quite fit the retirement bill. He is also a co-owner of Yakima 911 Driving School and the vice president of the Eastern Washington State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.

He says he and his wife, Linda, may do the retirement thing -- travel, that is, to Europe and Asia -- when his six-year term is up.

* Melissa Sánchez can be reached at 577-7675 or msanchez@yakimaherald.com.