Ex-Sequim police chief awaits word on job bid

Former Sequim Police Chief Bob Spinks said he liked what he saw Thursday and Friday in Columbus, Miss., where he was interviewed Thursday as one of three finalists for the top cop’s position there.

The Columbus City Council is expected to make a decision early this week.

Spinks said by email Friday that he was sight-seeing around Columbus after the Thursday interview.

“Had a great experience meeting people and thought my interview went very well,” said Spinks, who lives in Sequim.

“Folks have been extremely friendly, and the community is rich in history, has a vibrant, growing economy and a well-staffed and professional Police Department.”

He said the mayor and City Council “were very engaged and asked penetrating questions.

“I thought we had a good interactive exchange of ideas and expectations.”

‘Mutual evaluation’

Spinks said he was “not really worried about landing the job,” adding that “right now, it’s just a period of mutual evaluation.

“I’m not merely looking for a job,” he said. “I am looking for the right job.”

Besides Spinks, the finalists are Curtis Brame of North Chicago, Ill., and interim Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen.

City Manager Steve Burkett last year asked Spinks to resign, and Spinks did so, after Burkett concluded they lacked chemistry as far as management styles go.

Spinks, 52, who headed up the Sequim force for five years, acted as city manager before Burkett joined the city of Sequim in early 2010.

During the City Council interviews Thursday, as reported by The Dispatch in Columbus, Spinks said all three finalists know how to be a police officer, but he thinks he will be a better leader.

Spinks said he would come in and listen to the community.

“I think a lot of it is your leadership style, and I think that’s what I offer. Unlike anyone else, you don’t have to train me to be a police chief; I already know how to do that,” he was quoted as saying.

Spinks referred to himself throughout the interview as a coach and the Police Department as a football team, The Dispatch reported.

He told the council that he would plan to stay in Columbus for the remainder of his career, the newspaper said.

He also addressed reports from the Peninsula Daily News in which Burkett described Spinks as “bombastic.”

The term was brought up by a Columbus City Council member “and often, by Spinks,” The Dispatch reported.

“But he continued to refer to himself as ‘gregarious’ and ‘outgoing’ instead,” the article continued.

Teaches online classes

In Sequim, Spinks has been teaching online classes in victimology and criminology for Everest University and serves on the boards of the Sequim Senior Activity Center and Olympic Community Action Programs and is involved in the Sequim Senior Meals Program.

He is a part of the nonprofit KSQM-FM 91.5 radio management team, where he is an announcer, and writes a column for the weekly Sequim Gazette.

He previously worked as a trial court supervisor for the state of Oregon Judicial Department 19th Judicial District from 2004-2005, as the director of public safety for Bellevue College in Washington from 2002-2003, as an undersheriff in Benton County in 2001 and as police chief in Milton-Freewater, Ore., from 1997-2001.

Spinks earned a master’s degree in criminal justice in 2005 from the University of Cincinnati.

________

Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Mike Chapman.
Chapman leads Kelbon for district Senate seat

Mike Chapman was leading the 24th Legislative District state Senate… Continue reading

Steve Tharinger.
Tharinger leads Roberts for state House position

Incumbent Steve Tharinger outpaced Terry Roberts in a race for… Continue reading

Three state ballot initiatives rejected

Fourth measure passing with narrow margin

Two-lane bypass to open on Saturday

Construction crews will open a two-lane bypass for U.S. Highway… Continue reading

Heather Dudley-Nollette.
Dudley-Nollette wins Jefferson County seat

Heather Dudley-Nollette defeated fellow Democrat Ben Thomas for the… Continue reading

15 members voted to sit on Charter Review Commission

Fifteen candidates emerged as charter review commissioners out of… Continue reading

Adam Bernbaum.
Bernbaum leads Roberson for state House seat

Democrat Adam Bernbaum led Republican Matthew Roberson in the race… Continue reading

Clallam County Sheriff’s Office investigating woman’s death in Sequim

The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into… Continue reading

Emily Randall.
Randall wins 6th Congressional District seat

Reproductive freedom, abortion access will be top priorities, she says

Three of four statewide initiatives failing

Three of the four statewide initiatives were failing in initial… Continue reading

Tharinger, Bernbaum, Chapman leading in 24th Legislative District

Incumbent Steve Tharinger and newcomer Adam Bernbaum were leading in… Continue reading

Dudley-Nollette wins Jefferson County commissioner seat

Heather Dudley-Nollette won the District 1 seat on the… Continue reading