Edmonds confirms Lloyd Dawkins as police chief, approves employment agreement 6–1

The Edmonds City Council confirmed Assistant Chief Lloyd Dawkins as Police Chief on July 8 and approved a corresponding employment agreement, 6–1.

Mayor Mary Rosen recommended Dawkins after an internal selection process involving multiple candidates. Councilmember Payne moved confirmation, emphasizing Dawkins’s experience and leadership. During discussion council members praised Dawkins’s qualifications, including a master’s in public administration and completion of the FBI National Academy, and described her as a leader who "leads from the center." Dawkins addressed the council after confirmation, thanking members and community participants in the selection process.

Councilmember Olson proposed removing a $900 annual clothing allowance from the chief’s contract; that amendment failed on a voice vote and the main motion passed as amended to include both confirmation and the employment agreement, 6–1. Councilmember Dasch said she supported the candidate but opposed the contract as written because she believed the chief’s compensation exceeded comparator medians and that an updated compensation study had not yet been provided.

Public comment before the vote included a remote speaker who urged delay of the confirmation while the council studied an alternative model — contracting police services with the county sheriff — and asked the council to compare internal department costs with potential contracting savings.

The council’s vote authorized confirmation and approved the employment agreement; the employment contract includes a six-month review provision and other terms summarized in the council packet.