EVERETT — An officer who has worked in Everett for two decades is the city’s new deputy police chief.
John DeRousse, 47, grew up in a military family, with a father who was a military police officer. He served as a Whatcom County sheriff’s deputy before he joined Everett police 20 years ago. He has held many titles: police dog handler, training sergeant, lieutenant and, most recently, captain of investigations.
“I’m not a street cop anymore, but I was a street cop for a long time,” he said Tuesday, his second day in the new role.
DeRousse shifted into administration, he said, so he could be in position to make positive changes in the department. His priorities will be projects outlined by Mayor Cassie Franklin: reducing youth gun violence; improving quality of life; and promoting diversity and inclusion.
“All of those things she’s put in her directives are on the front-burner,” DeRousse said.
DeRousse made it a point to live in the city where he works, to be invested in its future and to be close to his family, he said. He oversaw Everett’s north precinct for 1½ years starting in summer 2015, until he underwent training at the FBI National Academy in Virginia.
Most recently, as a captain, DeRousse oversaw the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team, a cadre of detectives who investigate police shootings. He helped create and lead the Interagency Child Abduction Response Team, a group of dozens of first-responders who are on call when there are kidnappings. He expects someone else will soon take charge of that team.
DeRousse will head the investigations and administrative services bureau, in a post vacated by retiring Deputy Chief James Lever.
Police Chief Dan Templeman’s other deputy chief, Mark St. Clair, is in charge of operations, including patrol.
DeRousse summed up his first couple of days in one word: “Long.”
“I’m in the trenches, too,” DeRousse said. “It’s just a different kind of trench.”
Caleb Hutton: 425-339-3454; chutton@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snocaleb.
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