SNOHOMISH — Come Monday, a new Snohomish County sheriff’s lieutenant is expected to take over running the police department.
Keith Rogers was promoted to lieutenant last week and was selected to become the new chief in Snohomish. Rogers has been with the sheriff’s office since 2002. Before that, he was an officer with the Mountlake Terrace Police Department.
Rogers will replace John Flood, who recently was promoted to captain and reassigned to oversee the sheriff’s office north and south precincts. Flood has been with the sheriff’s office since 1991.
He has been the chief in Snohomish since January 2012, when the city started contracting with the sheriff’s office for police services.
Flood recalled that emotions were running high among some in the town over the loss of the city’s police department. Some were concerned they wouldn’t get the same level of service from the sheriff’s office.
“I was a little apprehensive,” Flood said. “The city has been nothing but supportive the entire time. This has been a great place to work and I’m going to miss it.”
Flood said he’s leaving the department in good hands. There are 17 officers, two civilian employees and two volunteers. He recruited Rogers for the job in Snohomish.
“He’ll be a great addition to the city,” Flood said. “I like the way he manages.”
The same day Rogers was sworn in as a lieutenant, he was presented with a Medal of Merit from the National Sheriff’s Association for his leadership in the Snohomish County Violent Offender Task Force, according to a press release.
The task force, which includes the sheriff’s office, U.S. Marshals Service and the state Department of Corrections, is responsible for tracking down some of the county’s most serious criminals. Under Rogers, the task force captured more than 1,000 felons.
Rogers has worked as a patrol deputy, field trainer and master patrol deputy. He has been a sergeant in Stanwood and Darrington, two cities that also contract with the sheriff’s office.
“I am looking forward to working closely with the residents of Snohomish and building an even stronger sense of community policing,” Rogers said.
A swearing in ceremony is planned for Sept. 19 at the Snohomish City Council meeting.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.
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