Residents urge council to acknowledge former Police Chief Jay Mason’s service and question his dismissal
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Summary
Multiple speakers at Tumwater’s Jan. 6 meeting urged the council to remember Jay Mason’s 32 years of service and criticized the manner of his recent dismissal; speakers called for the city to weigh community harm and ensure fair personnel processes.
Several Tumwater residents used the public comment period at the Jan. 6 council meeting to call attention to the recent departure of former Police Chief Jay Mason and to highlight his long record of community service.
Bob Partlow said he came "to say farewell and thank you to an individual who served this community for many years, former Tumwater Police Chief, Jay Mason." Partlow asked the council not to let the public memory of Mason be defined by "the disturbing and insensitive circumstances of his departure," and said Mason should not have been "fired by email 2 weeks before Christmas."
Kim McInnis also described being "heartbroken" by Mason’s firing after 32 years and asked the council what change in direction would justify replacing a long-serving chief. Derek Sanders, speaking as an elected sheriff from Yelm, praised Mason’s career and said he is both proud of Mason and optimistic about future partnership with the city under new leadership.
Council did not take formal personnel action during the public comment period; several speakers asked the council to consider how future separations are handled and to recognize Mason’s community work.
