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Tumwater council requires council confirmation for police chief appointment
Summary
The Tumwater City Council on May 19 unanimously adopted ordinance 2026-015 to require council confirmation of the mayor's appointment of the police chief, citing transparency and alignment between the mayor, council and police leadership.
The Tumwater City Council unanimously approved ordinance 2026-015 on May 19, 2026, changing Municipal Code section 2.10.040 so the mayor's appointment of the police chief is subject to confirmation by a majority of the council.
City Administrator Paul Simmons told the council that three other positions already require confirmation'the city administrator, the city attorney and the finance director'and that this measure would simply add the police chief to that list. "There are currently three positions that require confirmation from the council," Simmons said, explaining the administrative context for the change.
Acting Chief of Police Carlos Keelis spoke in support of the requirement, saying the job is highly visible and requires the support of the council, community and department staff. "I wouldn't want to be appointed to this position if I knew there were people out there that didn't support that decision," Keelis said, adding that council confirmation gives all stakeholders a voice.
Council members raised questions about the long-term implications for future mayors and whether neighboring jurisdictions use the same practice. City Attorney Kurpatre said state law permits mayoral appointment while allowing council confirmation to be preserved through local code. Council member Peter Agabi and others framed the change as a step toward distributing authority and increasing transparency.
Megan Sullivan moved to adopt the ordinance; Brandon Weeden seconded. The vote was recorded as unanimous. The council did not specify an effective-on date in the hearing; staff indicated the amendment will remain in place until changed by future council action.
Votes at a glance: ordinance 2026-015 (amend Municipal Code 2.10.040 to require council confirmation of the police chief appointment) ' Moved by Megan Sullivan; seconded by Brandon Weeden; outcome: approved unanimously.
The council noted the change aligns the police chief appointment process with existing confirmation requirements for other senior positions and said staff will reflect the amendment in the municipal code language. No further procedural steps were announced at the meeting.
