Sequim has five new candidates for the vacant police chief position.
Steve Burkett, Sequim city manager, has narrowed his choices from 60 applicants.
"I’m very pleased with the quality and experience of the five finalists," Burkett said.
"In addition to an excellent internal candidate, we have four other applicants with the background and experience necessary for the Sequim Police Chief position."
He’s arranged for a public meet-and-greet with the candidates from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, in city council chambers in the
Sequim Transit Center, 190 W. Cedar St.
Burkett said it is a social event and an opportunity for the public to meet their future police chief in advance.
On Friday, Aug. 6, Burkett, a panel of police employees and the city of Sequim department heads are scheduled to interview the candidates.
Burkett plans to narrow the list to one or two finalists and perform extensive background checks prior to making a final job offer.
"I’m looking for someone who will continue our small-town customer service approach to law enforcement, can assure the absolute integrity of the department and continually improve the quality and cost effectiveness of our services to the community," he said. Burkett said he would make a decision in mid-August.
The police chief pay range is $80,00-$106,000 with benefits.
Candidates
Those being considered for police chief are:
• Sheri Crain
Crain currently is interim Sequim chief of police and has served with the department since hired as a patrol officer in February 1991. During her tenure she’s been a detective, field training officer, patrol sergeant, administrative sergeant and lieutenant.
She holds a bachelor of arts degree in society and justice (criminal justice) from the University of Washington. Crain’s community involvement and volunteer activities include Sequim Trails Board and Rotary.
• William Dickinson
Dickinson has 39 years of experience in criminal justice. His work experience ranges from small police
departments to Washington’s largest county sheriff’s office where he spent 10 years as the contract chief of police in SeaTac and Burien. He also spent seven years as chief of police in Tigard, Ore. He lives in Tacoma and works as an investigations supervisor with the state. Dickinson has a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice from Seattle University.
• Matthew Kosec
Kosec, a Port Townsend native, obtained his bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice with summa cum laude honors from St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas. He’s served as a police officer, field training officer, sergeant and lieutenant with the Carrollton, Texas, Police Department. Kosec is a nationally recognized speaker and consultant on community and government coalitions to address underage drinking.
• Todd Muilenberg
Muilenberg has diverse law enforcement experience in the Scottsdale, Ariz., Police Department where he was hired as a patrol officer in 1990. He is a lieutenant and has held positions as watch commander, school resource unit commander and professional development division section commander. Other positions he’s held are field training officer, property crimes detective, gang and youth intervention detective, patrol sergeant, basic training sergeant and school resource sergeant. He was on the deans’ list at the State University of New York (Oswego) and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice with a minor in forensic science. Muilenberg served as a 1st Lieutenant in the New York Army National Guard – 1/108th Mechanized Infantry Battalion.
• Julius ‘Phil’ Schenck
Schenck, whose family roots are in Sequim, has been the deputy police chief in Sunnyside for almost 10 years. In his 21 years with the Sunnyside Police Department, Schenck’s held positions as patrol officer, police detective, patrol sergeant and deputy chief.
He has a bachelor of science degree in military science with law and justice from Central Washington University, a master of business administration degree from City University and graduated from the FBI National Academy at the University of Virginia. Schenck also served in the Washington Army National Guard.
As a volunteer, he works on several community boards and was an adjunct professor of criminology and criminal law at Yakima Valley Community College.
Previous chief gone
Crain became interim chief of police following Chief Robert Spinks’ de-parture. Spinks said his preference would be to stay in the Sequim area and leaving was never his choice.
