MILL CREEK — The city permanently appointed Stan White to the top police job Tuesday after months serving as acting chief.
The move comes after a nationwide search to replace Jeffery Young, who resigned late last year. White is the fourth person to hold the job in the last two years. Another was laid off in October 2020. Yet another left after violating city policy.
White has been with the Mill Creek Police Department since 2003. His top priority in the job will be addressing attrition, according to a press release from the city.
In his eleven months in the acting chief role since taking over for Young late last year, White helped fill seven vacancies in the department, according to the city.
“Stan is the ideal candidate with 27 years of experience in law enforcement and the character and impeccable integrity to build an effective organizational structure,” City Manager Martin Yamamoto said in a statement. “I look forward to watching our Mill Creek Police Department reach its full potential under Stan’s leadership.”
White beat out Yakima police captain Shawn Boyle and Unalaska, Alaska, police chief Jay Edward King. The three finalists spoke at a reception Thursday to make their pitch to lead the department in the city of almost 21,000 residents.
White, previously a detective sergeant, told The Daily Herald he wanted to return stability to the role.
“This is more than just a job to me,” he said. “This is where I raised my family.”
On Thursday, the new chief said the department needs “to be setting the example as the leaders, as the face of our city, to show that respect to the people that we serve.” As someone who investigated police use of force with the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team, he noted officers need to be held accountable when they make mistakes.
Like other local police leaders, White noted issues in recent police reforms at the state level. For example, he said legislators need to find a “happy common ground” on laws restricting police pursuits.
Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.
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