WEST RICHLAND, Wash. – The West Richland Police Department is the second police department in the Benton County area to have a vote of no confidence against its police chief in a year.
In West Richland, a climate survey by an independent third party found that a series of initiatives is necessary to improve the relationship between officers and leadership.
The City of West Richland sent out a press release on Feb. 29, 2024, that said in part:
‘The City of West Richland is aware of the West Richland Police Officers’ Association’s no-confidence vote on Police Chief Thomas Grego. The City is committed to transparency and accountability, and takes these matters seriously. An independent, outside consultant is conducting.’
NonStop Local submitted a public records request to find out more about what the Climate Survey looked like and gained access to emails from the West Richland Police Officers’ Association and the City’s HR team.
All of that information gives a timeline of what’s happened since the first vote of no confidence sent in November by President of the WRPOA Officer Jared Paulsen.
That initial vote of no confidence passed with 11 votes in favor, six votes against and two members abstaining.
Between that time and Feb. 22, 2024, the city hired an outside consultant to act as a third party. They interviewed staff and looked at data from the department to see what was going on.
On Feb. 22, staff met to talk about the consultant’s findings. The survey assessed the Department’s work culture, among other aspects.
In the recording of that meeting, the consultant talked about what people had said in interviews with them before the meeting.
Paulsen disagreed with the issues brought up at the meeting.
“The association had asked to look into the issue that we’re talking about is the weaponization of an IA process,” said Paulsen at the meeting. “That’s where our concern is. That’s what the lack of trust is. That’s why we did the vote.”
Paulsen said the IA process, also known as an internal affairs investigation, has been used to target people.
The consultant disagreed and said no one had shown them evidence of that.
Throughout the meeting, the consultant had multiple back-and-forths with people attending, including Paulsen, but by the end told them they would interview more members of the staff and look into the objections brought up at the meeting.
Two days after the meeting, Paulsen sent out another email saying in part:
‘The relationship between the West Richland Police Officers Association and Chief Grego is broken. There have been serious events in recent weeks that have made this situation exponentially worse.’
That email also said the vote of no confidence went to 18 members voting in favor, with only one abstaining.
NonStop Local reached out to the City for comment on Mon., April 1 and received a press release two days later.
The press release states that Mayor Brent Gerry has taken “decisive action to address concerns within the department and foster a culture of transparency and communication.”
A series of initiatives to enhance efficiency, communication and effectiveness of the department was announced. The City hopes to introduce training focused on the relationship between leadership and officers.
Mayor Gerry notes in the release that he “reaffirms his full support for Chief Grego, who has not violated any laws, city policies or the collective bargaining agreement.”
The WRPOA said it will not be able to speak on this case, but deferred NonStop Local to their lawyer who also said they may be available for comment soon.