Robert Spinks’ last day as Sequim’s police chief is July 2.

City Manager Steve Burkett made the decision more than a month after issuing a joint statement with Spinks about the police chief’s departure.

Burkett told the Sequim Gazette in May there wasn’t a set date for Spinks leaving but that he was definitely leaving the Sequim Police before the end of the year.

Spinks contract pays him through Sept. 1.

The police chief position allowed Burkett the right to end Spinks’ contract at any point.

Sequim Police Lt. Sheri Crain becomes acting interim chief of police after Spinks leaves.

Burkett said he would bring in candidates for interview in late July and early August.

Staying put

Spinks sent out a letter to the Sequim Police Department announcing his departure date.

He said his preference would be to stay in the Sequim area due to family living here.

“Just to clarify, my leaving Sequim Police Department was never my choice, as I have always said, my goal was to eventually retire from the Sequim Police Dept years down the road,” Spinks said.

He had his resume in areas like Pullman and West Richland for a police chief position, but he hasn’t received any offers yet.

Spinks said he is looking for jobs locally and out-of-area.

Pay raise

In an effort to recruit high quality candidates, Sequim City Council approved a pay raise on May 24 for the future police chief of $80,00-$106,000 with benefits.

The salary range was $72,000 to $96,000 per year.

Burkett said the increase makes Sequim more competitive with other cities.

Spinks was in attendance when the decision was made.

See www.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2010-05-12_arrested_development for the previous story on Spinks’ departure.