Several people used the public‑comment portion of Tumwater’s Jan. 6 council meeting to press the council about the recent dismissal of former Police Chief Jay Mason.

Bob Partlow opened public comment by asking the council to “say farewell and thank you” for Jay Mason’s decades of service and to ensure that the community remembers his contributions rather than the circumstances of his departure. Partlow said Mason served 32 years in law enforcement and cited examples of Mason’s community engagement, including work with youth and family education programs.

Kim McInnis, a long‑time Tumwater resident, said she was “heartbroken” about Mason’s firing and asked the council what direction would replace his leadership and what the replacement would cost the community. Derek Sanders, sheriff of Yelm, also spoke and praised Mason’s record while saying he looked forward to future cooperation with the city.

Council members did not take personnel action during the meeting. Discussion from the dais emphasized moving forward and allowing the appropriate personnel processes to proceed; one council member indicated severance payments to departing staff had occurred in recent weeks but that personnel matters were not on the meeting agenda.

No formal response or policy action was adopted at the meeting on the subject; several residents asked the council for clearer communication and transparency about personnel decisions in the future.