Federal Way's Kirkpatrick named Spokane police chief

Federal Way Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick is Spokane's next police chief.

Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession made the announcement this morning. It's the first time that a woman will lead the department.

Kirkpatrick, 46, was one of four candidates vying for the $140,000 per year job. She will manage 380 employees and oversee a $40 million budget.

Seattle Assistant Police Chief Linda Pierce, Roger Peterson, chief of police in Rochester, Minn., and Spokane Deputy Police Chief Bruce Roberts were among the four finalists to replace Roger Bragdon, who retired in December.

Kirkpatrick said it would be tough to leave Federal Way. She said the Spokane Police Department is facing some tough budget issues and she has guided her South King County department through similar but not quite as difficult issues.

Kirkpatrick started her law-enforcement career in Memphis. In 1987, she was hired by Redmond police, and in 1995 she took a position teaching criminal justice at Green River Community College. Kirkpatrick was hired as the chief of the Ellensburg Police Department in 1996, and in 2000 she was hired in Federal Way. She has a law degree from Seattle University.

Federal Way Mayor Mike Park said Kirkpatrick has "demonstrated leadership and communicated with not only police officers but city managers."

"If Spokane hires her it's good and bad," Park said last week. "It means Federal Way police did a good job seasoning a new police chief."