Search for Langley police chief begins

Langley Mayor Tim Callison has added six more months to the temporary duties of Don Lauer, named acting police chief last July to replace outgoing chief David Marks.

Callison told city council members Monday that the three-person police department has successfully managed day-to-day duties despite not having a fourth officer.

“But they are stretched to keep it up,” Callison said.

Whether Langley needs three or four full-time officers has been debated for years and the number has fluctuated depending on the budget.

The council reviewed police and department staffing needs after the controversy surrounding Marks’ alleged strong-arming tactics led to his termination and one-year’s pay settlement with the city.

Callison said an ad posting the police chief position will be placed in various media in the next 30 days. Candidates are vetted by the Washington State Civil Service Commission that then recommends up to three finalists to the mayor’s office.

The Mayor said he’s arranged for a citizen’s panel to interview the final candidates to assist him in “assuring a good fit with the community.”