Members of the Edmonds Community,
Last Thursday, Mayor Nelson advised me of his decision to put forward Sherman Pruitt to the City Council as his choice for the next permanent Chief of Police. While I am personally disappointed, I understand and accept the Mayor’s choice. After having been advised of his decision, I sent a video message to my entire staff that I would be taking the high road, that I (and we all) still had a very important job to do, continue serving the members of the community. I have admonished the staff that we are to remain neutral and that we are apolitical in our roles. They are expected to, and do, remain professional and must always remember that they are public servants and that they cannot bring negative light to the department nor the city in either their words or actions, both on and off-duty. I am unaware of any negative comments having been made by members of this department. Outside of the members of this department, I have no direct control over what individuals chose to express. I realize that the current situation has generated a great deal of emotion on both sides; individuals have a right to express their opinions but I would ask that everyone refrain from personal attacks of any kind.
Jim Lawless
Edmonds Police Department
Classy, admirable response. Thank you for your years of service!
Thank you ACOP Lawless for your commitment to professionalism. And also to former Chief of Police Compaan for your continued leadership. When the mayor won’t confront the issues and hides behind his council president, we rightfully should reflect on where we are.
Thank you Jim Lawless for you being our Edmonds Hero! In all of this, let us not forget December 7, 1941 for all those young American Hero’s that gave their lives at Pearl Harbor and around the world in the name of Freedom so we can have this discussion. We will never forget!
Fred Gouge
Well said ACOP Lawless. We should keep decorum and courtesy in this debate. I believe we all agree that you have acted professionally during your tenure, and that this choice was not in your hands. For me, I will continue to question the judgement of the Mayor on this decision due to the qualifications of each of the candidates (both the two finalists and the nominated position). As a member of the “public”, we should all voice our support and/or disappointment with choice in a respectful and professional way.
I have mentioned this before and will say it again, the SJW and other comments do nothing but dog whistle and do nothing to compare the facts. That’s what I want for Edmonds and for myself. Facts and the decision making process that led to this conclusion. I want to see the City Council support their decision for or against their decision. As the Mayor said tonight on the Highway 99 Lake Ballinger Town Hall, the most substantive comment was a statement of opinion. “Unique perspective” is not one of the qualifications listed albeit important.
Based on your tenure and service, I see proactive policing with a dedicated force that has a good understanding of the needs of our community. Making decisions solely for the sake of a fresh or unique perspective is not something that I would let take precedence over experience (particularly for this key role).
When I see different and hear more about the qualifications that stand up to your qualifications, I will go back to my corner and work on my unique and fresh perspective.
Reading Acting Chief Lawless’ letter confirms he is the correct choice to lead our city’s police department.
Chief Carmen Best was classy on her way out too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFSu0bLmyEo&ab_channel=KING5
Our Mayor wants Edmonds to be Little-Seattle. The man canceled 4th of July parade (okay), but also decided to sponsor a BLM protest/event during the same time. They only canceled the later event after the irony was highlighted.
Class act!
Thank you for your service, sir, and for you mature and laudable response to what must be a very disappointing situation. You are a gentleman.
A call act indeed and hopefully our next police chief. Pretty much everyone has been honest, fair and above board in the letters to the editor.
Unfortunately there is one person who has tarnished the process and our community:
The President of the Edmonds City Council had this reaction:
The council president also believes racism is a problem in Edmonds, and Pruitt is the better pick to heal the city’s racial wounds.
“In this time frame in Edmonds, I think we could use Chief Pruitt,” she said. “With all the racism in Edmonds, we have somebody who has had that experience in their life. I think that’s important.”
This exact reason is why the chief of police and fire chief should be elected officials, much like the Sheriff, let the people choose their emergency and security managers not the politicians. A loyal servant will be discarded for the sake of politics. Class act there ACOP Lawless.
I’ve reached the conclusion that this city is hopelessly broken and, sad to say, it’s the very people I voted for to fix it, that have finished breaking it. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
I’d like to see AFM forced to resign over her public disparaging remarks about our city and Mike Nelson defeated the next time he runs for Mayor, if he runs again. For the record I’m still a Democrat, a Liberal and believe in fair and honest government at all levels.
Extremism is really bad in either the Left or Right direction and at any level of government affairs. I still think Trump is trying to overthrow the government in a Coup, with the help of the Supreme Court he thinks he has appointed for his own aggrandizement and the Republican Party is complicit in this attempted overthrow. I digressed because I think this local move is almost equal in shame to the Left that Trump and Trump Cultism is to the Right.