A. 
There is hereby created the office of police chief in and for the city, pursuant to the laws of the state of Washington. The position of police chief shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the city council. The police chief shall report to and serve at the pleasure of the mayor.
B. 
Prior to making an appointment under this section, the mayor shall cause a thorough background investigation of the appointee to be completed pursuant to RCW 35.21.334, or otherwise verify that such background investigation has been completed by another public agency with which the city has executed an interlocal agreement for law enforcement services.
C. 
Prior to his/her appointment, the appointee shall provide a sworn statement to the mayor verifying the appointee's satisfaction of the eligibility requirements set forth at RCW 35.21.333.
(Ord. 96-06 § 1; Ord. 15-446 § 1)
The police chief shall perform the duties and affairs of the office of the police chief and shall serve as the chief law enforcement officer of the city. Without limitation of the foregoing, the police chief shall have the following specific powers and duties:
A. 
The duties and responsibilities of the police chief shall include all duties and responsibilities prescribed by city ordinance or resolution, as well as the provisions of applicable state and federal law. The police department has all such authority, responsibility, and duties as are normal to municipal police departments of cities organized under the Optional Municipal Code of RCW Title 35A, including but not limited to maintenance of the peace, issuance of citations, arrest and detention of persons committing criminal offenses or who are mentally ill, investigation of criminal activity, establishment and maintenance of intelligence files, production of scientific evidence, crime prevention, animal control, and such other duties as are set by ordinance of the city or by the laws of the state.
B. 
The police chief shall perform such other duties as may be now or hereinafter required by statute, ordinance, resolution or other lawful directive of the mayor and/or as directed by the city council.
(Ord. 96-06 § 2; Ord. 15-446 § 1)
Compensation for the position of police chief shall be set at the rate provided for in the annual budget adopted by the city council or as provided for by contract or interlocal agreement.
(Formerly 2.25.040; Ord. 96-06 § 4; Ord. 15-446 § 1)