As Chief of the Edmonds Police Department, and on behalf of our members, I welcome you to our website. Our law enforcement officers and our civilian staff are each committed to exceptional standards, professionalism and quality of life in our community. The citizens we serve expect that of us. We, in turn, expect that of ourselves.

The past year has been one of challenges and opportunities. We promoted from within the Department a new Assistant Chief of Police (Jim Lawless), two Corporals (Aaron Greenmun and Damian Smith) and an Executive Assistant (Caroline Thompson). We were successful in filling all of our vacant police officer positions (total of 56 commissioned members), only to have one of those positions after a retirement remain unfilled due to budget constraints. Our plain-clothes Street Crimes Unit (consisting of a sergeant and two police officers) will be fully operational in May, 2009 and will enhance our enforcement effectiveness combating vehicle prowls, auto theft, burglaries, prostitution, narcotics and in serving arrest warrants.

Budget cuts have remained in the forefront for the City of Edmonds and the Police Department. In addition to holding one of our Police Officer positions open, we lost our Crime Prevention Officer and two part-time assistants. We also lost one of our three Animal Control/Ordinance Enforcement Officers and have notified the City of Mountlake Terrace that we are no longer able to provide contract animal control services to that city. Also due to budget cuts, this will be the last year for D.A.R.E. in Edmonds schools. The D.A.R.E. Officer is being reassigned back to Patrol.

Fortunately, we have not lost any other positions at this juncture. We have been able to keep our Vacation House Watch and Block Watch programs operational, in a curtailed fashion. Our front service counter continues to be open to the public M-F from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We remain able to provide service 24/7 through the 911 dispatch center.

Government at all levels has found itself short on funds during this recession. The City of Edmonds is among that group. We are exploring revenue and budget options to help remediate the current financial situation both in the short and longer term. We remain hopeful that our situation will improve in the coming months.

We appreciate the support and trust our community has extended to us. It is our responsibility to uphold that trust. We strive to provide the highest quality law enforcement services to keep Edmonds the safe city that it is. Thank you for visiting our website. We welcome your questions or comments.

Al Compaan
Chief of Police

Edmonds Police Department
250 Fifth Av. N., Edmonds WA 98020
425.771.0200
policeinfo@ci.edmonds.wa.us
May 1, 2009

Mission Statement

Service in partnership with the community -
a commitment to excellence.

Vision

• We see our department in cooperation with the citizens of Edmonds, becoming more attuned to, and responsive to their needs. We intend to do this through improved management techniques, mutual respect and developing our people's full potential.
  
• We will be innovative, using emerging technology to maximum potential.
  
• We recognize that our growth is dependent on public confidence and support, which we will strive to accomplish through professionalism.

There are two forms listed below: one to be used to compliment an Officer; and the other to file an Officer complaint. Please choose the appropriate form, print and fill it out completely, then sign and mail to this address:

Gerry Gannon, Assistant Chief of Police
Edmonds Police Department
250 5th Ave N
Edmonds WA 98020