City manager expresses confidence in Blaine Police Department

City manager Michael Jones has expressed his confidence in the Blaine police department in the wake of police chief Allen Schubert’s abrupt resignation.

At the February 11 city council meeting, Jones said that he has full confidence in the department, even while he consults with Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo and others about bringing in outside leadership.

“The police department is already very occupied with lots and lots of activities, and when you take one person and ask them to do two jobs, it diminishes your capacity in the department,” Jones said at the February 11 council meeting. “So it’s purely from an operational perspective, and it has nothing to do with a lack of confidence in anyone in the department.”

Jones also announced that lieutenant Ryan King was appointed as acting police chief on Friday, February 8 and was sworn in earlier in the day on February 11.

“We implemented a memorandum of understanding with the Fraternal Order of Police, the union that Ryan is a member of, that allows him to take on that temporary role,” Jones said. “That wouldn’t stop us from having conversations with the sheriff’s department or others about how they may be able to assist us, if that need exists during the transition period,” he added.

At Monday’s meeting, Jones also said that the city has started the process of following through on Prothman Company’s warranty for the search. Prothman Company is a consulting firm that the city paid to help with the search for Schubert.

The city’s contract with the company included an 18-month warranty, meaning if the person hired does not stay in the position for at least 18 months, for any reason, the company will conduct the search again at no charge. Schubert stayed in the position for just over 160 days.

Criticism has been directed at the city over approximately $28,000 in severance that was paid to Schubert upon his abrupt departure.

On Monday, Jones said that the city’s risk management provider, Clear Risk Solutions, will be paying 50 percent of the severance package. “That’s positive news,” said Jones.