Goldendale police chief resigns

GOLDENDALE, Klickitat County — The city's police chief has resigned, saying he was tired of recent protests calling for the removal of both him and the mayor.

David Hill had been with the police department for 16 years and served as police chief for about 10 years, including two years as interim chief. He resigned Monday afternoon, roughly two months after allegations surfaced that he used offensive language in the department and touched his female administrative assistant's hair in a sexual way.

Mayor Mark Sigfrinius suspended Hill in early January for one week without pay after looking into the allegations, which were reported in November. But about a dozen residents said they were upset about the mild punishment and accused the mayor of trying to cover up the controversy.

The residents waved signs in protest for a week in front of City Hall.

Hill said he was up for retirement a few months ago and was only staying with the department until the allegations were resolved. But he said the recent protests changed his mind.

"The way things were going on with the city, and they're picking on the mayor ... yesterday my wife and I decided that it just wasn't worth it," Hill said Tuesday when his resignation took effect.

Lt. Rick McComas was appointed interim chief until a replacement is found.

"Chief Hill has done a wonderful job over the years, but he acknowledged today that it's time to move on," Sigfrinius said.

Goldendale lies just north of the Columbia River in south-central Washington, about 60 miles south of Yakima.