Interim Mattawa Police Chief Returning to Moses Lake

The interim police chief in Mattawa is stepping down to return as captain with the Moses Lake Police Department.

KPQ News partner iFIBER ONE reports Chief Mike Williams is leaving over a difference in opinion on the direction of the police department.

He also said it was taking longer than expected to hire a permanent chief and was in the “best interest” of both parties for him to return to Moses Lake full-time.

Williams last day on the job in Mattawa is Friday after replacing the previously fired police chief, Joe Harris, in April.

Williams was expected to serve just three months as interim chief but an agreement was reached to extend the contract through January of next year.

iFIBER ONE reports the Mattawa City Council is expected to discuss the chief position at its meeting on Thursday.