Richland’s police chief leaving for Oregon

Richland is looking for a new police chief.

Chris Skinner was picked to lead the police force in Eugene, Ore., according to The Register-Guard.

The decision came about a week after appearing at a forum with two other finalists.

He is expected to start on April 30.

Richland officials are still working on how they’re going to pick the next chief, including who will take charge until a replacement can be found.

They plan on naming an interim chief, and will conduct a nationwide search for Skinner’s replacement.

The chief did an excellent job during the past seven years, city officials said.

“While we are disappointed to see him go, we are excited for him to take the next step in his career,” the city’s statement said.

Eugene’s city manager, Jon Ruiz, also had glowing words for Skinner.

“Chris is known for building relationships, using innovative approaches, and leading by example,” Ruiz said. “He has an authentic and inclusive leadership style, and we’ve heard from people across the Northwest that he is an experienced and well-respected law enforcement professional.”

The last time the city searched for a chief was 2011, when former Chief Tony Corsi retired after a 37-year-long career in law enforcement.

Capt. Mike Cobb stepped into the spot as interim chief while the city conducted a several month long search with the help of Seattle-based Waldron & Co. to find a replacement.

Skinner was hired from the Hillsboro, Ore., police department with a $117,000 salary.

City officials said it’s still too early to have a timeline for Skinner’s replacement. They also don’t yet know how much the new chief will be paid.

Richland’s police chief also oversees the Southeast Communications Center, or SECOMM, Benton County’s dispatch center.

This story was originally published March 19, 2018 at 11:38 AM with the headline "Richland’s police chief leaving for Oregon."