Williams to remain interim Mattawa chief through January

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously 7-0 to extend the three-month interlocal agreement with Mattawa, allowing MLPD Capt. Mike Williams to remain the interim Mattawa police chief through Jan. 31, 2022. The initial agreement expired July 27.

Williams stepped in after former Mattawa chief Joe Harris was fired by Mayor Maria Celaya on April 10.

To keep up with the two cities’ demands, Williams has been working about 80 hours a week, said MLPD Chief Kevin Fuhr.

Some council members were not thrilled with this extension, but Fuhr assured them it likely will not be the entire duration.

“I have been promised by Capt. Williams that he will not still be there in six months,” he said. “They have advertised for the job. We’re hoping that here in the next month or two Mattawa makes a decision on that next police chief and Mike can come back to the office and get his work done.”

Recently, Williams has been spending more time in Moses Lake and is able to keep up with both duties, Fuhr said.

“We’re getting the work done in our office that needs to get done, and he’s making a difference in Mattawa,” he said.