Moses Lake police focus on re-accrediting

MOSES LAKE - New Moses Lake Police Chief Dave Ruffin is focused on renewing the department's accreditation for 2013.

"We're certainly not starting over from scratch, but we've got to make sure that we're in compliance with some of the new standards and changes," Ruffin said. "It's going to take a little bit of work."

Retired Chief Dean Mitchell worked hard to reorganize and improve the department for accreditation in 2009.

"The department's in great shape," Ruffin said. "There are times when, and not just in law enforcement, I'm sure in the private sector as well, when the director leaves, things are in turmoil. That wasn't the case here. Certainly there's some things we need to do and things we need to get caught up on as far as that transition."

The department must renew its accreditation every four years with the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs. The department's deadline is by November.

Part of this process includes an audit of the evidence room. Olivia Martinez, a recent University of Washington graduate from Othello, was hired as a police specialist and tasked with auditing evidence, which took about three weeks. She will be trained to work on the crime prevention team in the future.

Ruffin said he will work to outline the goals and objectives for this year in the coming weeks.

"I think it's really important to work with the people that do this job day in and day out," he said. "While I'm certainly overall responsible for the department, it's not fair or I think wise, to utilize just my own agenda. I think it's important to use their values and strengths."

Ruffin said he wants to have more crime prevention information available to the public on the website and through Martinez. He said the city continues to have many property crimes, including theft, burglary and vehicle prowls.

As for now, the department will operate with only one captain instead of the two in previous years.

Capt. Dave Sands has stepped into the role of public information officer and other duties have been reorganized, including Ruffin being responsible for some of his previous duties.

Ruffin is currently busy completing the department's end of year report, which should be released soon.