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Poulsbo police make temporary promotions for independent-investigation liaison; council approves provisional lieutenant and sergeant
Summary
Council approved provisional appointments to create a liaison role for two independent investigations: Sergeant Sean Zeman provisionally promoted to lieutenant and Officer Dave Halsberg to sergeant. The appointments are temporary, not to exceed six months, and have a limited budget impact.
The Poulsbo City Council on June 4 approved provisional promotions in the Police Department to manage workflow associated with two independent investigations related to an officer-involved shooting.
Chief Harding requested council permission to provisionally appoint Sergeant Sean Zeman to the rank of lieutenant to serve as the single point of contact for the Office of Independent Investigations and for an outside agency conducting a policy review. Chief Harding said the lieutenant rank gives Zeman the authority to direct workflow and issue necessary orders to sergeants to support evidence and investigatory needs.
In tandem, Chief Harding proposed appointing Officer Dave Halsberg to a sergeant position to backfill some duties Zeman would no longer perform while serving as the liaison. The chief said the provisional assignment would not exceed six months and that the temporary position was not included in the current biennium budget.
Council discussion confirmed the appointments' purpose and sought clarification on fiscal impact. The packet estimated a budget impact of roughly $11,000 if the provisional lieutenant assignment endured for six months. Council members asked whether the Office of Independent Investigations preferred a single point of contact; city staff confirmed that the office had indicated a preference for one liaison.
A motion to approve the temporary lieutenant position under the memorandum of understanding with the Poulsbo Police Officers Association passed on a roll call vote. The council also approved the related provisional sergeant appointment. The appointments will remain provisional for up to six months unless further action is taken.
