MUKILTEO — Mukilteo Police Chief Rex Caldwell will retire at the end of the month after nearly five years at the helm.
Cmdr. Chuck Macklin, who told Caldwell about the Mukilteo opening in 2010, is the mayor’s choice to take his place.
Mayor Jennifer Gregerson announced her plans Thursday. She plans to bring the appointment to the Mukilteo City Council for confirmation Sept. 8.
Caldwell said he is pleased for Macklin.
“When we would look for new staff members, Chuck always said, ‘Will this person fill this space or raise the bar?’ With his assistance we have definitely looked for people who will enhance … this agency,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell, the son of a police officer, was six weeks past his 21st birthday when he got his first law enforcement job. He spent most of his career in Kirkland.
“My personal philosophy is, and has been since I was a teen, leave things better than you found them,” Caldwell said.
He said he has tried to get involved in the community in different ways. He’s president of the 85-member Mukilteo Kiwanis Club and plans to help fellow volunteers barbecue salmon for the 50th annual Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival, also known as MukFest, in September. He’s served on the board for Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County and has long been involved in organizing a law enforcement torch run that benefits Special Olympics.
Caldwell said he believes the department has worked hard to reach out to the community it serves during his tenure. A case in point is the annual National Night Out, which earlier this month drew almost 2,500 people — more than a tenth of the city’s population. Some other changes might be harder to notice, such as a new policy manual, an additional detective and help in the lobby, security improvements to City Hall and the police station and the department joining a regional SWAT team.
Sometimes, progress can be measured in what doesn’t happen, Caldwell said. The police department hasn’t had a claim filed against it in three years.
In retirement, he’ll keep volunteering. He also plans to continue teaching at Shoreline Community College and said he could pursue other openings in higher education.
Caldwell, 55, served as an interim city administrator for nine months in 2014. During that time, Macklin served as acting police chief. Macklin has 33 years of law enforcement experience.
He joined the Mukilteo Police Department in 2006. The department has 28 commissioned officers, three community service officers and four noncommissioned support staff.
Macklin said he recruited Caldwell to Mukilteo and is glad he did.
“He has been the best chief I have ever had,” he said.
Mayor Gregerson asked Caldwell to serve as interim city administrator for the first nine months of her term.
“I believe Mukilteo is very lucky and blessed to have had him serve our community,” she said.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com
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