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PHOTO BY JOHN LARSON

POLICE ISSUES. The old Ruston schoolhouse serves as the police station. Three people have served as the town’s police chief, including two on an interim basis, so far in 2008.

Former police chief takes legal action against Ruston

By John Larson

In January, Ruston Mayor Michael Transue fired Jim Reinhold from his position as the town’s police chief.

Reinhold filed a whistleblower complaint alleging the town government is wasting money and exposing the police department to liability over how it handles public record requests.

During the March 17 council meeting Joan Mell, the attorney representing Reinhold, spoke at the invitation of Councilmember Wayne Stebner.

She told Transue and the council that Reinhold was taking legal action seeking back pay and money for pain and suffering. He seeks reinstatement to his position as chief, Mell said.

Mell also said Reinhold has accused the town government of targeting certain businesses with visits from police.

Jennifer Forbes, who serves as the town attorney in a part-time capacity, clearly was uncomfortable with the matter being discussed in this setting and asked for the discussion to end. Mell replied that she is willing to come back to discuss it in an executive session, which are closed to the public and media.

Sharon Reese was sworn in as interim police chief during the Feb. 25 council meeting, with her appointment effective as of March 10.

She began her career in law enforcement with Whitman County Sheriff’s Department as a dispatcher in 1974. She has served as a deputy in the sheriff’s departments of Snohomish County and Pierce County.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from St. Martin’s College and is a graduate of the Law Enforcement Executive Development Program at the Federal Bureau of Investigations Academy.

She achieved her Executive Career Level Certification from Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

“I am pleased that someone with Sharon’s background and many talents has stepped forward during this important time,” Transue said. “I am confident that the members of the department and community will embrace her approach to problem solving and policing.”

Ruston owes Tacoma for police response

With four officers, the size of Ruston’s police force might be similar to other small towns, but Ruston can experience problems that strain the town’s relatively small law enforcement budget.

One example was an incident Jan. 2, when police went to the home on Highland Street of Irving Wayne Jones, who reportedly was armed and threatening to kill himself. A standoff ensued, starting at around 1 p.m. and ending at around 4:30 a.m. the following morning.

Tacoma Police Department was called in to assist Ruston officers. Recently the city of Tacoma presented a bill for $20,281 to Ruston for reimbursement.

The matter was briefly discussed during a March 3 town council meeting. “I don’t have money in the budget for that expense,” Transue told the council.

During the March 17 meeting Councilmember Bradley Huson suggested Jones be held responsible for the costs incurred by the town.

The bill was due March 7.

During the March 24 study session, the council held a first reading on a supplement to the budget to come up with the funds owed to Tacoma. A line item of $20,282 for an increase for professional services to the police department was included.

Jones was charged with felony harassment and has a trial scheduled to start April 21.

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