SLPD Chief fired for alleged misconduct
Former Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox was officially terminated from his employment effective Feb. 13. Cox had been placed on administrative leave on Nov. 15 in regard to “improperly accepting a gift from a citizen related to employment,” according to a statement from Mayor Peter Sharp. The city conducted both an internal investigation and had an as-yet unnamed outside agency perform an independent investigation into the incident, according to Sharp.
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SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake Police Chief Ryan Cox has been terminated, according to a statement from the city. However, Cox also held the role as the city administrator. No statement regarding his role of city administrator has been released from the city.
Cox was initially placed on administrative leave Nov. 15. On Thursday, more than 13 weeks later, the city released a statement announcing Cox’s termination from the police department, effective immediately.
According to the statement, signed by Mayor Peter Sharp, the city completed an internal investigation of Cox, alongside an initial independent investigation conducted by an unspecified law enforcement agency outside of Grant County.
Sharp, Acting Police Chief Robert Geates and Council Member Judith Gorman all declined to comment on who conducted the external investigation. Neither Sharp nor Geates responded to requests for comment prior to press time Thursday. Declining to identify the investigating agency is unusual after an investigation is completed because the information is then a matter of public record.
Cox said he is appealing the termination.
“I was officially terminated from Chief of Police today,” Cox wrote in a statement to the Columbia Basin Herald. “This decision was unexpected and is being actively challenged through the appropriate appeals process. I strongly disagree with this decision and believe it to be unjustified. I am committed to seeking a fair resolution and will continue to pursue all available options to overturn this outcome. I would like to express deep appreciation for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Soap Lake since 2013. It has been an honor to dedicate my time and efforts to this community for over a decade. I remain committed to its well-being. At this time, no further statements will be made until the appeals process is complete. I appreciate the support from colleagues, supporters, and the community during this time.”
The city sustained findings from the investigations of misconduct, including “improperly accepting a gift from a citizen related to employment,” Sharp wrote in the statement.
While the city was conducting the initial investigation, Sharp said, city staff located records confirming Cox used his official position and city monies for personal gain, according to the statement.
“Each of these are serious violations of City and State laws and policies that will not be tolerated. Due to the multiple sustained incidents of misconduct, the Mayor (with the support of the City Council) has made the difficult decision to terminate Chief Cox's employment effective immediately,” Sharp wrote.
Geates will serve as acting chief until an interim chief is officially selected by the city.
According to records from the city, Cox has been paid more than $24,000 while on paid administrative leave from Nov. 15 to the end of January. For the week of Nov. 16-30 Cox was paid $6,327.67. The following weeks between Dec. 1 and Jan. 31 he was paid $4,452.67 weekly.
Cox also received $4,125.70 worth of medical benefits, paid by the City of Soap Lake since he has been placed on administrative leave.
A public records request from the City of Soap Lake shows an invoice from Grant County Sheriff’s Office to Soap Lake Police Department for nearly $25,000 the month of December for assistance in covering the city. For the months of October and November 2024, the city did not pay GCSO, according to records.
According to Geates, there are two other officers outside of himself.
In December, 12 different deputies from GCSO covered shifts for SLPD totaling 198 hours of covered time on 13 different days.
On the invoice, nine deputies were paid rates ranging between $86.83 an hour to $150.90 an hour. Deputies are paid at an overtime rate when completing coverage.
Soap Lake was also charged a patrol vehicle usage fee 17 times, totaling $1,700.
The Columbia Basin Herald has filed public records requests regarding the investigation and will have additional coverage as more information becomes available.