By Dawn Masko, City Administrator, City of DuPont
DUPONT – Mayor Michael Grayum has appointed Robert Sheehan as the Interim Police Chief for the City of DuPont. Sheehan is being hired to provide administration and management of the department while the City conducts a search for a permanent Police Chief.
“After interviewing several candidates, we selected Mr. Sheehan as our Interim Chief based on his extensive experience.” said Mayor Grayum. “Chief Goodpaster has led DuPont’s Police Department with honor and professionalism, and we are working to hire a replacement with the same distinguished leadership qualities and experience. It is my expectation that Sheehan will build on the continued success of Chief Goodpaster and the DuPont Police Officers. He will spend time on quality issues that he can influence during his time in DuPont and will make the department even better for the permanent Police Chief we are working to hire.”
Sheehan is replacing retiring Police Chief Ron Goodpaster whose last day with the City is April 12th. Sheehan retired in 2012 from the Tacoma Police Department as the Assistant Chief of Operations. He has 35 years of law enforcement experience, joining the Tacoma department in 1981 after serving in the United States Air Force as a military police officer. His career experience has included operations, administration, community policing, facilities project management, investigations, SWAT team, and internal affairs.
In addition to providing oversight of daily operations, Mayor Grayum has tasked Sheehan to focus on the recruitment and hiring of two vacant police officer positions, train department personnel, strengthen employee relations, and improve public safety communications.
Sheehan’s first day will be April 15, 2013. The City is working with the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to conduct a broad and open search for a leader with the combination of experience, knowledge, expertise, and integrity demonstrated by Chief Goodpaster.