Ephrata PD chief, city reach separation agreement after dispute over leadership, communication

EPHRATA — When former Ephrata Police Chief Erik Koch submitted a letter Sept. 15 seeking a separation agreement with the City of Ephrata, it followed years of praise for his service and months of disagreements with city leadership over communication, personnel matters and the role of the police chief within city government. 

Public records obtained by the Columbia Basin Herald show both Koch and city officials pursued separation agreements in September after months of documented disagreements over leadership, communication and personnel matters. 

The agreement contains a non-disparagement provision that limits Koch's ability to publicly discuss the circumstances surrounding the separation. 

Oliver said the city is reviewing communication-related policies and training for executive staff and department heads, with an emphasis on "absolute crystal-clear communication" between city administration, elected officials and department leaders. 

"We're looking for a community-oriented leader who is a strong communicator," Oliver said. 

The agreement, approved unanimously by the Ephrata City Council during a special meeting Oct. 23, ended Koch's 22-year career with the Ephrata Police Department. While his personnel records detail disciplinary actions taken against Koch in 2025 and 2026, they also include letters praising his leadership, professionalism and contributions to the department throughout his career. 

"The Parties agree that this Agreement is not an admission by the other party that it has violated any law or failed to fulfill any duty to one another," reads the agreement.  

Koch joined the department in June 2004. Early evaluations described him as a standout recruit. 

“It is apparent Officer Koch will be a very fair and empathetic officer who will be able to serve his community and create a great camaraderie within his agency,” academy instructor Stormi Koerner wrote in an October 2004 evaluation. 

In 2006, Koch was selected for the Moses Lake Regional Tactical Response Team despite not yet meeting the standard minimum experience requirement. 

“Although Officer Koch was three months short of the minimum two-year experience qualified, the board was very impressed with his attitude and ability,” records state. “The board felt that his extensive military background more than made up for the time requirement.” 

Koch was promoted to corporal in 2007 and later advanced through the department's leadership ranks, eventually serving sergeant, then captain before being appointed interim chief in February 2020 by then-Mayor Bruce Reim. He was appointed as chief in late 2022. 

Following an active-shooter training exercise at Ephrata High School in 2014, Ephrata School District Executive Director Dan Martell commended Koch and other officers for their professionalism. 

“Your staff appeared well prepared and participated in each of the scenarios in a professional manner,” Martell wrote. “I felt confident in their abilities to help at the high school.” 

However, records indicate tensions developed between Koch and city leadership in recent years. 

On Feb. 3, 2025, Reim issued Koch a formal written warning alleging insubordination, poor communication, and leadership deficiencies. 

“Effective leadership and communication are crucial in maintaining the integrity and efficiency of your department, but it has become obvious that various issues in these areas have arisen under your command,” Reim wrote. 

The warning alleged Koch had made personnel decisions without involving city administration and failed to adequately communicate departmental changes. Reim also said Koch had not fully embraced his responsibilities as a member of the city's executive leadership team. 

“The promotion to Chief or Captain means you are no longer an officer, and you must think differently than you did as an officer,” Reim wrote. “Your vision must be broader.” 

Reim further stated that Koch had displayed “blatant disregard and insubordination toward the office of the mayor.” 

No further disciplinary records were provided during the remainder of Reim’s term. However, the disciplinary concerns resurfaced after Steve Oliver was elected mayor in November 2025 and took office in 2026. 

On Sept. 8, Oliver issued Koch a notice of suspension, citing what he described as continued leadership and communication concerns. Among the issues raised was Koch's alleged questioning of a subordinate officer after Oliver selected that officer to serve on the Grant County Law and Justice Committee. 

Oliver wrote that doing so undermined the mayor's authority and could discourage the officer from accepting the appointment. 

“Actions such as these undermine the Mayor's Office, diminish public confidence in the city's decisions, was demeaning to a veteran officer with supervisory duties, and are inconsistent with the expectations placed on an executive team leader,” Oliver wrote. 

The mayor also mentioned that Koch pursued outside information technology assistance without first coordinating with city administration. Oliver further described an inability to separate the interests of the police department from those of the city during labor negotiations. 

“As chief, your responsibilities require a broader perspective than solely the interests of your department members,” Oliver wrote. “Additionally, your failure to adopt an organization-wide, executive team mindset has contributed to strained relationships within the executive team.” 

The suspension placed Koch on paid administrative leave from Sept. 9 through Sept. 11 and warned that future deficiencies could lead to additional disciplinary action or removal proceedings. 

“This letter serves as your final warning,” Oliver wrote. “Continued deficiencies in leadership and communication or further conduct that could be construed as insubordination or coercion of others to commit insubordinate acts, will result in me suspending you from your position and seeking city council confirmation to remove you as the chief of the Ephrata Police Department.” 

On Sept. 14, Ephrata police responded to a report involving a person experiencing a behavioral-health crisis. According to police records, the individual allegedly exited a vehicle near Ephrata Middle School and made threats about provoking officers into shooting him. The middle school was briefly placed on lockdown as a precaution before the individual was detained and transported for evaluation without incident. 

On Sept. 15, Koch submitted a letter stating he had retained legal counsel and wished to pursue a separation agreement. The city received the notice the following day.  

“The majority of my adult life has been dedicated to public service,” Koch wrote. 

He highlighted his service in the U.S. Marine Corps and his two decades with the Ephrata Police Department. 

“For more than 20 years I have served our community as a member of the Ephrata Police Department,” Koch wrote. 

Koch defended his time as chief, citing the department's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, community relationships and leadership development. 

“I have led by example and prioritized the needs of the men and women of the Ephrata Police Department, whose sacrifices keep our community safe,” he wrote. 

Koch also acknowledged what appeared to be a growing philosophical divide between himself and city leadership. 

“It is clear the city, under the leadership of the current mayor and city administrator, now desires a different leadership approach for the police department,” he wrote. “In recognition of the city's apparent desire for a change in leadership, and with a heavy heart, I have retained an attorney to prepare a separation agreement for council's consideration.” 

Koch concluded that “ending my term as chief on amicable terms is in the best interest of the city, the police department, and the community we serve.” 

On Sept. 16, Oliver issued Koch another disciplinary letter, this time placing him on unpaid administrative leave.  

The mayor alleged Koch failed to notify city leadership about the incident despite prior instructions requiring communication to the city administrator regarding public-safety events involving schools.  

“The mayor's office should not learn of major police activity through social media,” Oliver wrote.   

The letter described the incident as the third occurrence serious enough to warrant discipline and announced Oliver's intention to discuss a possible separation agreement with the City Council. 

On Sept. 23, City Administrator Ray Towry informed Koch that the city was also pursuing a separation agreement and provided a draft for review. 

The process culminated Oct. 23 when the council approved the final agreement during a special meeting. 

According to city documents, the separation agreement carries total obligations of around $90,900. That amount includes three months of severance pay totaling about $33,300, around $2,100 payout of eligible Kelly Time, about $18,500 in accrued vacation leave, about $31,600 in sick leave contributions to Koch's VEBA account and three months of insurance benefits valued at around $5,400.  

City records state the city's insurance carrier agreed to reimburse up to $90,000, leaving the city's projected unreimbursed cost at around $900. 

While public records included disciplinary actions citing concerns about Koch's leadership and communication, the separation records include a letter of reference from Oliver praising Koch's career and accomplishments. 

“Erik dedicated more than 20 years to the Ephrata Police Department, serving with distinction as a patrol officer, sergeant, captain, and ultimately as chief of police,” Oliver wrote. 

The mayor credited Koch with modernizing technology used by officers, guiding the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and managing departmental resources responsibly. 

“His contributions have left the Ephrata Police Department stronger and better positioned for the future,” Oliver wrote. 

The same night, the city issued a public news release similarly recognizing Koch's service. 

“Erik has been invaluable to the city of Ephrata in his tenure here,” Oliver said in the release. “He has been an asset to our community, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.” 

Koch formally resigned Oct. 16, with an effective date of Oct. 23. 

“It was my honor to serve and protect the people of Ephrata over the last 22 years,” he wrote in his resignation letter. 

The city has since appointed Capt. Troy Froewiss as interim chief. Then, city officials hired former police chief Kurt Atkinson who served from 2020 to 2022, in a temporary consulting role and launched a nationwide search for Koch's permanent replacement. 

The city has hired a recruiter to assist with the search, Oliver said, and plans to seek input from council members, staff, police personnel and community members in identifying qualities for the department's next chief.