The Colfax mayor has fired the city’s police chief for alleged “dishonesty” regarding officer hiring practices following a previously unspecified three-month investigation into departmental conduct.
After weeks of declining to clarify why he had placed the chief on leave, Mayor Todd Vanek announced Tuesday he had terminated Police Chief Rick McNannay on Jan. 17 based on an investigation by Clear Risk Solutions, of Ephrata.
A city statement alleged “findings of dishonesty from an independent, third-party investigation into Mr. McNannay’s attestations of compliance with state mandates for pre-employment certification of police officers.”
McNannay confirmed he has filed a Civil Service Commission appeal and planned to meet with attorneys this week to determine his legal options. He otherwise declined to comment pending a statement from his attorney.
McNannay has served Colfax as police chief since July of 2012, previously working a combined 17 years for the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office and Moscow Police Department. He was placed on administrative leave by Vanek on Oct. 16 without any public announcement. The investigation was first reported by KHQ.
“(I)n the best interest of all involved, I am declining to respond to your specific questions,” Vanek responded by email when Whitman County Watch contacted him about the nature of the investigation in November.
Vanek noted Tuesday the city cannot hire a new police chief until the civil service appeal process is completed. A public hearing has not yet been scheduled.
McNannay had previously disputed the city’s public records practices in March and outlined department morale problems related to city budget issues.
Whitman County Watch has requested public records regarding the McNannay investigation and his performance. The city has pushed back releasing those records twice. They are now expected by Jan. 31.
Full city statement:
