Crain hired as Sequim police chief

Deputy Police Chief Sheri Crain, 50, was appointed Sequim Police Chief on Monday, Dec. 5, following the retirement of Bill Dickinson, effective Dec. 16.

Crain started with the Sequim Police Department on Feb. 26, 1991, and carried several positions such as detective, sergeant beginning in 1999, police lieutenant in 2008 and interim police chief in 2010.

She said her career has been fulfilling so far and that seeking the police chief position was a natural progression.

“I had some talents in this area and figured I’d put them to use,” she said.

“It was more of a progression. You come to work everyday, gain more skills and more abilities and around 2010 I realized I was perfectly capable of doing it. So I figured I’d put my name forward.”

Dickinson was hired as police chief on Sept. 7, 2010, by retired Sequim City Manager Steve Burkett over 60 candidates including Crain, the runner-up.

However, Crain said Burkett and Dickinson established the past six years as a mentorship for the position, which current city manager Charlie Bush honored by hiring Crain without an interview process.

“We are fortunate to be able to promote someone with Sheri’s experience, skill level, connection and commitment to our community into this role,” Bush said.

Crain received Dickinson’s endorsement when he announced his retirement in November, too. “She’s competent and has my recommendation,” Dickinson said.

“She’s been a long-term employee and worked her way up and found educational opportunities such as training at the FBI Academy. She has a more global viewpoint of the police department, too. She has all the credentials.”

Crain completed the 10-week Federal Bureau of Investigations Academy in 2013 and was appointed deputy chief that same year by Dickinson.

Plan ahead

Crain said her plan was always to pursue a career in justice because she “always had a strong feeling of right and wrong from an early age.”

She moved here with her husband in 1989 working some odd jobs before she was hired at Sequim Police Department at age 24.

Being the first female police officer was a milestone for the city, she said.

“I’m just thankful the city has always given me a fair shake and the opportunity to challenge myself so I don’t take it any further than that,” Crain said.

Now, Crain manages 19 commissioned officers and three civilians in the police department.

She said she considers herself a team-minded person and said if she were to assign herself a role it would be making people better.

Going forward, Crain said there are several things she’s going to consider starting next year including a new 5-year strategic plan, more professional development for staff, continuing successful practices from the recent accreditation of the department by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and hiring a new deputy chief and the next sergeants as officers move up.

One topical issue she said they’ll continue to address is police trust with the public.

“Washington state is ahead of the curve and Sequim is more ahead of the game than most other communities,” she said. “We’ll continue to be at the forefront doing what we need to do to address community concerns.”

For more information on the Sequim Police Department, visit www.sequimwa.gov or call 683-7227.