By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Brian Witt, a 27-year veteran of the Pierce County Sheriff Department, is Eatonville's new police chief. He started on the job Jan. 4, capping a selection process that began in November with the Town Council's approval of Mayor Mike Schaub's proposal to hire a full-time chief on a contract basis from the ranks of the Sheriff Department. The position had been filled since 2014 on an interim basis by a sheriff officer who split his time between town and county duties. The Sheriff Department internally accepted applications for two weeks, starting in late November. Witt, 50, was the only applicant. He was interviewed Dec. 11 by an advisory panel that included two Eatonville citizens, a representative of the Sheriff Department, the town clerk and Schaub. Based on his qualifications, knowledge and interview results, they "felt Brian would be a good fit for the town," said Schaub, who made the appointment along with Sheriff Paul Pastor. "Brian brings a diverse law enforcement background to the town along with an approachable personality," Schaub said. "Since Brian is a full-time working chief, you will see him more often around town. He will be a positive addition to our Police Department." Witt joined the Sheriff Department in 1988, starting as a deputy assigned to the South Hill precinct, and rose to sergeant. He also worked with the department's narcotics investigations unit and the Mountain Detachment. He lives near Roy and is a Bethel High School graduate. He and his wife, Michelle, have four children ranging in age from 14 to 25. Witt said he's grateful for the help he's receiving from his predecessor, Jim Heishman, during his transition from sheriff officer to police chief. "Jim will be my sounding board for the next month,GÇ¥ Witt said. Heishman, a lieutenant, is returning to full-time service with the Sheriff Department, where his duties have included heading the Mountain Detachment that's based in Eatonville's Town Hall building. Heishman said Witt " is a great choiceGÇ¥ for the full-time contract chief position, which was open only to sergeants. Having a full-time chief will cost the town $140,000 per year in salary and benefits under a two-year agreement that began this month and will end in December 2017. The town and county will decide whether to continue the contract. Schaub sees the arrangement as being best for the development of Eatonville's four-officer Police Department. And he has said there is no plan for the town to receive all of its police service from the county, which was proposed in 2012 by then-mayor Ray Harper but rejected by the council. The cities of Edgewood and University Place receive all of their police services through Pierce County. Eatonville, however, will continue to provide its own officers.
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment