Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, June 21, 2007

Sultan police chief rescinds resignation

Fred Walser says he wants to clear his name, but the city says it expects him to leave in August

By Jackson Holtz and Yoshiaki Nohara, Herald Writers

 SULTAN - Police Chief Fred Walser has withdrawn his resignation and now says he plans to stick around until he clears his name of any wrongdoing.

The city won't accept Walser's offer, and he's still expected to leave in August, officials said.

Walser, 66, was placed on paid administrative leave Friday. He is involved in two investigations into allegations of wrongdoing at the police department.

"I look forward to your investigation being completed and expect to be fully exonerated," Walser said in the letter, which was faxed to the city late Monday.

Walser, police chief for nearly a dozen years, on May 25 announced his plan to retire Aug. 17.

That's still the day the city expects him to leave, Mayor Ben Tolson said.

"We have accepted his resignation," Tolson said. "We have made efforts to find a replacement."

The city plans to hire an interim police chief to run the department while Walser is on administrative leave, city administrator Deborah Knight said.

Walser plans to appeal the city's refusal to the Sultan Civil Service Commission, said J.C. Becker, Walser's attorney. Becker once worked as a police officer under Walser's command in Sultan.

Without an appeal, there's no way to answer the accusations against the chief, Becker said.

Walser said he intends to remain police chief until the investigation is complete.

"Fred is not going to leave under a cloud," Becker said. "He wants to stick around."

Two investigations into improper conduct within the Sultan Police Department are under way.

One investigation is being conducted at Walser's request by the Washington State Patrol. It involves alleged misuse of a city computer by a police department employee, Walser said.

Walser said he believes he is the also the focus of a second investigation involving allegations that he withheld information from the city attorney related to the computer-misuse investigation.

Walser was placed on leave once before in 2003. He was cleared in that instance after investigators found there wasn't enough evidence to support the allegations.

The Walser dossier

Born: 1940 in Mineola, N.Y.

College: Bachelor of Science, Central Washington State College, law and justice and police administration, 1977. Walser also attended Everett Community College.

POLICE CAREER

Washington State Patrol: 1967-1995; Walser worked as a trooper on Stevens Pass; was assigned to a newly formed riot squad during the Vietnam War era; investigated fatality collisions; was promoted to sergeant and later detective sergeant; retired as lieutenant.

Snohomish County Sheriff's Office: In 1995, Walser ran unsuccessfully for sheriff, losing to Patrick Murphy.

Sultan Police Department: 1996-current.

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

* Snohomish County Children's Commission, commissioner

* Snohomish County Federated Health & Safety Network, board member

* East Snohomish County Health Network, member

* Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, member

* Washington State Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Advisory Commission, commissioner

* Monroe Lions Club, member

* Monroe Rotary Club, founding charter member

* Gayle Whitsel Award from Snohomish County DUI Task Force, recipient

* Washington Association of Police Chiefs and Sheriffs Traffic Committee, co-chair and legislative committee member

* U.S. 2 Safety Coalition, chair

Family: Walser is married with two adult children and two grandchildren.

Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA