Police Department

Chief Meidl Announces His Resignation

Julie Humphreys, Communications Manager, 509.625.5868

Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 8:50 a.m.

Please see this letter from Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl to the community regarding his pending resignation.

 

After almost 30 years serving the community of Spokane, it is time to close this chapter of my career.  It has been an incredible blessing and honor to work every day toward creating a safer community and working with the truly amazing men and women of the Spokane Police Department.  I have had the privilege of leading this department during a season that was among the most challenging times faced by law enforcement in decades.  There is not a finer group of officers in the entire world, and our city is blessed by the caliber of officers filling the ranks of SPD.

I have worked for two amazing Mayors who have trusted me at the helm of the Spokane Police Department for the past seven years.  Mayor Woodward’s support and encouragement, for me personally and the SPD as a whole, during the last four years has been tremendous in helping us retain and attract the brightest talent available.  I am grateful for their confidence in me.

I want to thank the men and women of the Spokane Police Department for working tirelessly every day to keep our city safer, committing themselves to being a buffer between those who would prey on others and their victims.  They have been relentless in their efforts and passion for the safety of Spokane. 

I also would like to thank the Spokane community for the support and encouragement you have given the Spokane Police Department.  You as a community are one of the strongest reasons many choose to work for SPD; your unwavering and unabashed public support and encouragement is felt and appreciated by your officers.  Please don’t ever lose that, I cannot convey in words how much that is needed.

I thank my family for their support and encouragement.  The long hours, the weeknights and weekends attending events to connect with community and represent SPD at as many events as feasible, came at a cost to you all.

Finally, and most importantly, I thank the Lord for His many blessings and stretching me in ways I thought would surely break me.  But He was always there for me.  I could never have done this without Him.

The Spokane Police Department is full of passionate leaders, all driven to create a safer Spokane using the tools and resources available to them.  Spokane can rest assured that their commitment will continue.

I wish Mayor-elect Brown success in continuing the ongoing journey to make Spokane a safe and healthy city.

My last day with the Spokane Police Department will be December 31^st.

Respectfully,

Craig Meidl

• Newer
• Older