Kalama appoints new police chief

The city of Kalama appointed a new police chief on Thursday, months after the former chief resigned amid allegations of inappropriate behavior, including public drunkenness, and a suspension.

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Kalama Mayor Jon Stanfill appointed Robbie Satterly as chief during the City Council meeting, according to a city notice.

Satterly had been serving as acting chief since former police chief Ralph Herrera resigned in the fall following a week's suspension and a unanimous vote of no confidence from the police union.

Satterly, who joined the Kalama Police Department in 2021, has a career in law enforcement spanning over 25 years, according to a city notice.

Satterly's resume includes serving as an enforcement officer with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and previously spending over a decade with the Montrose Police Department in Colorado.

"Chief Satterly's appointment reflects the kind of leadership our city needs right now," said Stanfill in a statement. "Getting a permanent chief in place has been my top priority since taking office in January, and this hiring process confirmed what I already believed. Robbie's experience and character, as well as his quiet confidence and steady leadership as Acting Chief, make him the right choice for Kalama."

The Kalama Police Guild says in the notice that Satterly "brings a working knowledge of our operations, our officers, and the community we serve."

Herrera, who spent eight years at the Kalama Police Department, announced his departure on Oct. 8, 2025, with his last day two days later.

In Herrera's farewell post, he wrote that the "timing of this transition is, unfortunately, more immediate than I had hoped."

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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 4:32 AM.