Williams named interim PD chief for Mattawa

MOSES LAKE — In two unanimous votes, the Moses Lake City Council approved on Tuesday Moses Lake Police Captain Mike Williams to serve as Mattawa’s interim chief, as well as allowing the two cities’ shared law firm, KenisonFranz, to represent both Moses Lake and Mattawa for this issue.

An interlocal agreement allows Williams to be the Mattawa Police Department chief for three months beginning immediately, after Mattawa Mayor Maria Celaya placed former Mattawa Police Chief Joe Harris on leave and fired him on April 10.

Mattawa will pay Williams’s salary and commute and provide supervision, although he will still wear the Moses Lake uniform and gear.

Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr said at Tuesday’s city council meeting there was no down side to this.

“It will be a good opportunity for him, and we’ll be fine,” he said.

When Fuhr was first contacted about the position, he reached out to retired police officers, he said, and none were interested.

“Captain Williams is somebody that we could throw in the position right away,” he said. “He could start running on day one. He’ll bring great leadership to the organization.”

Mattawa is currently short-staffed, he said, so Williams will aid in providing off-duty Moses Lake officers who will contract with Mattawa. Moses Lake police will also provide staffing for evidence and public records.

All of this will be paid for by Mattawa with no financial impact on Moses Lake, he said.

“It’s my instinct to hold valuable things near and dear and not share them,” said council member Karen Liebrecht, “so just know that you are expected to be back.”

Williams is not related to Moses Lake City Manager Allison Williams.

Sam Fletcher can be reached via at sfletcher@columbiabasinherald.com.