Everett fires police lieutenant after DUI investigation

EVERETT — An Everett police lieutenant was fired Wednesday in connection with his drunken-driving arrest last summer.

Jimmy Phillips, 60, had his prosecution deferred for five years, meaning he won’t be convicted unless he has more legal trouble. The deferral is a common outcome for people without a prior DUI.

Chief Dan Templeman deemed Phillips unfit for duty after an internal investigation at the police department, according to documents released Thursday. Phillips worked for the department for nearly 26 years. He was on leave after his arrest in August.

“Your behavior erodes the public trust in its appearance of hypocrisy,” Templeman wrote in the termination letter.

The chief appreciated Phillips’ years of service, but “his actions clearly violate our department’s canons of ethics as police officers and are inconsistent with our core values of honor, integrity and professionalism,” Templeman said in a prepared statement.

Phillips rolled his truck while off-duty on Aug. 25 in Benton County in Eastern Washington. He reportedly told a Washington State Patrol trooper that he was drinking whiskey while driving home from Colorado and that he’d tossed the bottle away from the crash site. As part of the deferred prosecution, Phillips was ordered to seek alcohol treatment, use a DUI ignition lock in his car and pay $1,400 in fines.

The city of Everett declined Phillips’ request for a waiver that would have allowed him to operate a patrol car without an ignition device, according to public records obtained by The Daily Herald. The city also declined his request to be permitted to get rides to scenes with other officers as needed.

Phillips has to use the ignition device until at least September. Granting him an exception for a city vehicle “would set an unappealing and unacceptable precedent,” the chief wrote.

As of Thursday afternoon, Phillips had not filed an appeal of the firing, city spokeswoman Meghan Pembroke said. The city is planning to fill his position, which oversees investigations, major crimes and about 30 detectives and support staff. Phillips also was a supervisor on the countywide team that investigates officer-involved shootings and other fatal uses of force.

In the termination letter, Templeman wrote that Phillips’ behavior in August was disappointing and jeopardized the public’s trust in law enforcement.

“Your conduct brought discredit to you, the department and the city,” the chief wrote.

Phillips especially was “imprudent” when he approached the trooper at the scene while holding a personal firearm, Templeman wrote.

Phillips also had handed his entire wallet over to the investigators, meaning they saw his badge along with his driver’s license. He told his bosses he has since quit drinking.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

More in Local News

The Safeway store at 4128 Rucker Ave., on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Mike Henneke / The Herald)
Police: Everett Safeway ex-worker accused of trying to ram customers

The man, 40, was showing symptoms of psychosis, police wrote. Officers found him circling another parking lot off Mukilteo Boulevard.

Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the 196th ST SW Improvement Project near the 196th and 44th Ave West intersection in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Jarred by anti-Semitic rants, Lynnwood council approves tax increase

Three people spewed hate speech via Zoom at a council meeting this week. Then, the council moved on to regular business.

The county canvassing board certifies election results at the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office in Everett, Washington on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
General election results stamped official by canvassing board

In Snohomish County, one hand recount will take place. Officials said ballot challenges were down this year.

The Days Inn on Everett Mall Way, which Snohomish County is set to purchase and convert into emergency housing, is seen Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Over $130M for affordable housing set to be approved by County Council

The five-year investment plan of the 0.1% sales tax aims to construct 550 new affordable units.

Two snowboarders head up the mountain in a lift chair on the opening day of ski season at Stevens Pass Ski Area on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, near Skykomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ski season delayed at Stevens Pass due to minimal snow

Resort originally planned to open Dec. 1. But staff are hopeful this week’s snow will allow guests to hit the slopes soon.

Siblings Qingyun, left, and Ruoyun Li, 12 and 13, respectively, are together on campus at Everett Community College on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, in Everett, Washington. The two are taking a full course load at the community college this semester. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Siblings, age 12 and 13, are youngest students at EvCC campus

Qingyun Li was 11 when he scored a perfect 36 on the ACT test. His sister, Ruoyun, was one point away.

Edmond’s newly elected mayor Mike Rosen on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mayor-elect Rosen wants to ‘make Edmonds politics boring again’

Mike Rosen handily defeated incumbent Mayor Mike Nelson. He talked with The Herald about how he wants to gather the “full input” of residents.

A speed camera facing west along 220th Street Southwest on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Traffic cameras, and tickets, come to Edmonds; Mukilteo could be next

New school zone cameras in Edmonds will begin operating in January. Mukilteo is considering enforcement cameras as well.

A suspected gas explosion on Wednesday destroyed a house in the 19700 block of 25TH DR SE in Bothell, Washington. (Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue)
After a newly bought Bothell house exploded, experts urge caution

The owners had closed on their purchase of the house just two days earlier. No one was hurt in the explosion.

Lynnwood
3 men charged in armed home invasion near Everett

Prosecutors allege the trio targeted other Asian American homes across Snohomish, Whatcom and King counties.

Team members prep for the upcoming ski season at Stevens Pass Resort in Skykomish, Washington on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Any day now: All eyes on snow forecast at Stevens Pass

The ski area was a flurry of activity this week, as staff made sure a new lift and app were running smoothly.

Everett
Carjacking suspects tracked via GPS from Everett to Renton, then arrested

A King County resident reported two people stole their Mercedes at gunpoint. Hours later, its GPS tracker pinged in north Everett.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.