Investigation of ex-Richland chief widens. Search to replace her back to square one

Richland is taking another shot at finding candidates to lead the police department and emergency dispatch services after announcing Wednesday it’s no longer considering its two finalists.

The reboot on it’s police chief search comes at the same time that Richland confirmed to the Tri-City Herald that it’s been investigating former Chief Brigit Clary since early December.

City officials are trying to determine, among other things, if Clary lied about why she left the Federal Way Police Department to come to Richland in 2017.

The issue came to light following the release of a 6-year-old report by her former employer, the Federal Way Police Department. The report claimed she engaged in nepotism by approving overtime for her husband and then lied about it to investigators.

While Richland officials said they were aware at the time of that investigation, they now say they did not know the details until it was sent by an anonymous source to the city, prosecutors and the Tri-City Herald.

State law obligates police agencies to investigate any potential wrong doing of an employee even after they have left the department.

As an outside attorney started investigating the chief, Richland had narrowed its search for her replacement to Port Orchard police Chief Matthew Brown and Selah police Chief Dan Christman.

Both came to the Tri-Cities more than three weeks ago for interviews and to meet with community members.

But Wednesday, City Manager Jon Amundson announced the city is starting over looking for candidates.

It’s not clear whether Richland wanted new candidates or the two finalists no longer wanted to be considered.

“I have determined that Richland’s best option is to continue recruiting for the role,” he said in the statement. “I believe it is necessary to continue the process to ensure that we select the best organizational fit for the police department and community.

“I understand the significance of this decision and its impact on the timeline for filling the police chief position” he said.

The annual salary range for the position is $149,000 to $208,000, according to the previous job listing. The chief oversees officers for the city of about 63,000, the regional dispatch center and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes against Children Task Force.

Clary, who officially retired at the end of the year, though she’d been out on medical leave since October, according to public records obtained by the Tri-City Herald.

Interim Police Chief Dave Neher has been in charge of operations during the search for her replacement.

Richland hired the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to help with that search.

City officials weren’t able to answer on Wednesday whether they would continue using the association.

This is not the first time in recent years the city has picked two finalists for police chief only to start over. The same thing happened in 2018 when the city was trying to replace Chief Chris Skinner.

It took about another year for the department to hire Chief John Bruce. He left suddenly in January 2022, and Clary stepped into the job.

Ex-Chief Clary investigation

After Clary announced in September 2023 that she planned to retire, she went on medical leave at the end of October, according to a form sent by Richland to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training commission about her separation.

While she was on leave, the city discovered she issued a “retired card” to a former Richland officer. Those cards allow retired officers to continue to carry their weapons concealed without needing a separate state permit.

It’s unclear when the retirement card was issued, but it appears the city believes she had the authority to do it, according to the form.

The city opened its investigation into Clary on Dec. 6, and then it was expanded on Dec. 18, after reports about her exit from Federal Way became public.

City officials are trying to determine if Clary lied about why she wanted to leave the Federal Way Police Department. According to records sent to the Tri-City Herald, she was on the verge of getting fired, and was aware of it.

It appears Clary and the Federal Way Police Department didn’t share detailed information with Richland or the Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission.

“On Dec. 21, 2023, Clary submitted an amended retirement letter opening a workers’ compensation claim for a new duty-related disability,” according to the memo to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

It is not clear when the report will be wrapped up, but Richland officials said they would provide the information to the commission.