East Wenatchee Hires Tom Robbins as Interim Police Chief

The East Wenatchee City Council voted unanimously to hire Tom Robbins as the city's first Interim Police Chief.

Robbins, who served as Wenatchee's Police Chief for 15 years before retiring in 2016, accepted the position at Tuesday night's City Council meeting.

Interim Chief Robbins said his first priority is understanding his personnel.

"Get to know the officers. I'll be talking to each one of them. Just get to know them as human beings and as police officers." Robbins explained, "I want to find out what's important to them and their agency. When I say 'their agency' that's what I mean; it's their agency. Also getting into the training as soon as we can get them some in-service training. That's got some good stuff in it. Get them moving in the right direction."

The Interim Chief also expressed an interest in getting the East Wenatchee Police Department accredited. Although the process takes roughly three years, Robbins said it would greatly benefit the department and the community.

Robbins took the position despite living on the west side of the Cascades with his wife and family. He said he will house sit a friend's home while in town, but will regularly travel over the mountains.