Friday, March 16, 2012

Seattle Port Police Chief Put on Leave

Colleen Wilson, the Port of Seattle’s Chief of Police, has been placed on leave for allegedly verbally abusing subordinates and creating a hostile work environment.

The allegations came from two female members of staff management, who filed written complaints.

Wilson was placed on paid leave March 6 pending the results of an investigation. Deputy Chief Rodney Covey has been named the department’s acting chief.

Wilson has a 40-year career in law enforcement. Prior to being hired by the port, she was police chief in the city of Monroe from 1993 to 2002, and in Sumner from 2002 to 2007. She joined the port in August 2007.

In an interview with KING-TV news, Wilson said she expects to be exonerated and back on the job eventually.

“I didn’t do anything bad,” she told the station during a brief phone interview.

The port’s Police Department, which was formed in 1972 and consists of more than 100 commissioned police officers and more than 30 non-commissioned personnel, is the primary first responder for all reported crimes and incidents within its jurisdiction, including the port, Sea-Tac Airport and portions of the Puget Sound Region.