Interim Edmonds police chief to lead department permanently

Published 1:30 am Thursday, April 9, 2020

EDMONDS — The city’s interim police chief, Jim Lawless, has been selected to remain in the position permanently, Mayor Mike Nelson announced Thursday.

Lawless took over as chief on Jan. 1 when Al Compaan retired after 40 years with the department. Lawless’ promotion needs to be confirmed by the city council.

“One measure of a person’s worth is how they perform during a crisis,” Mayor Mike Nelson said in a news release. “This has been a crisis like no other. Acting Chief Lawless has been a steady, firm hand during a time of uncertainty. I can’t imagine a person better suited for this job than Jim.”

Lawless joined the department in 1995. Prior to becoming the acting chief, he was an assistant chief for 12 years.