Police Department

Dobrow retiring, McDevitt to lead police division

Will serve as law enforcement director during national chief search

Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740

Friday, February 5, 2016 at 1:15 p.m.

Interim Spokane police Chief Rick Dobrow announced today that he intends to retire, and Mayor David Condon named former U.S. Attorney Jim McDevitt as law enforcement director to oversee the Spokane Police Division during a national search for a permanent police chief.

Dobrow, whose 33-year career in law enforcement includes 21 years with the Spokane Police Division, intends to retire on March 1. During his time with the police division, Dobrow earned the medal of valor in 2002, Chief’s Citation in 2003, employee of the quarter in 2006 and Purple Heart in 2007. McDevitt, who is serving as a member of the committee advising on the search for a new chief, will work on a contract with the city for approximately four months.

“Rick Dobrow has served Spokane with a dedication, compassion and professionalism that we should all strive for,” Condon said. “Spokane is grateful for the years he gave our community.”

McDevitt was the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington from 2001 through 2010. He was one of three members of the Spokane Regional Criminal Justice Commission, which authored, “A Blueprint for Reform” and appointed by the governor to the state Clemency and Pardon Board for which he serves as vice chair. He retired from the Air National Guard as a Brigadier General.

“Jim McDevitt brings great experience and perspective to the Spokane Police Division,” Condon said. “The same qualities that made him the right choice to help determine what the community expects from our next police chief and how we select that chief make him the natural choice to help us get a new one in place.”

Dobrow began the retirement process several months ago, but agreed to stay as interim chief at Condon’s request. As the Police Leadership Advisory Committee wraps up its recommendations related to the chief search, Dobrow decided it was the time to return to his original plan.

“I have enjoyed my time with the Spokane Police Division very much,” Dobrow said. “I will always appreciate the men and women I was privileged to work alongside and the community we love and serve.”

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