Wenatchee City Council backs 1 police chief for 2 departments

The briefing

The Wenatchee City Council voted unanimously for East Wenatchee Police Chief Rick Johnson to lead both cities' police departments. Council members called the arrangement new and unique and framed it as part of a broader move away from operating in silos on public safety. The interlocal agreement still needs an affirmative vote from the East Wenatchee City Council on Aug. 18, after which Johnson would hold both jobs starting Sept. 1.