Don Anderson Mayor Jason Whalen Deputy Mayor Mary Moss Councilmember Michael D. Brandstetter Councilmember John Simpson Councilmemher Marie Barth Councilmember Paul Bocchi Councilmember John J. Caul?eld City Manager ECEHVE MAY 11 2017 CITY OF RUSTON May 10, 2017 Mayor Bruce Hopkins City of Ruston 5117 North Winnifred Street Ruston, WA 98407 Mayor Hopkins and Ruston Councilmembers, Our Assistant Chief, John Unfred, recently emailed you regarding harassing behavior by your Police Chief, Anders Estes. I am writing to further expound on your chief?s activities and behavior as it relates to the Lakewood Police Department and advise you of the action I am taking. As you are aware, on April 25th one of our officers, Arron Grant, took his own life at his residence in the Town of Fircrest. That very night, your chief posted on your Facebook page that a Lakewood Officer "took his own life earlier today?. This was done without checking to see if we had made all of the family and department notifications and was done before we made any statement or announcement. This action was unprofessional at best, showed poor judgment, and we are still determining the emotional harm that may have caused any of Officer Grant?s family. Your chief went even further and posted on a Facebook page for general law enforcement a long statement about leadership with the clear insinuation that the leadership at our department failed Arron and contributed to, if not directly caused, his death. Within days of this there was a News Tribune article about our fallen officer and your chief?s dissatisfaction with our department. The articie contained quotes from your chief and he commented extensively. These actions go beyond basic disgruntlement with a former employer. Your chief publicly used the death of an officer to further his campaign against the Lakewood Police Department. These acts are beyond reprehensible and undermines the credibility of the Town of Ruston and your police department. Given your chief?s unprofessional and harassing behavior, I insist that all future communication with any member of our department for any reason be done through our City Attorney. Further, as your chief?s lack of integrity and professionalism is a reflection of the entire Ruston Police Department, I am revoking their police authority in the City of Lakewood as outlined in the Police Powers Act and any requests for mutual aid or assistance 6000 Main Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499-5027 (253) 589-2489 Fax: (258) 589-3774 Don Anderson Mayor Jason Whalen Deputy Mayor Mary Moss Councilmember Michael D. Brandstetter Councilmember John Simpson Councilmember Marie Barth Councilmember Paul Bocchi Councilmember John J. Caul?eld City Manager ECEHVE MAY 1 1 2017 CITY OF RUSTON by the Town of Ruston from the Lakewood Police Department will be denied until such time as have faith in-the credibility of your department. I sincerely hope the Town of Ruston is able to correct this current situation. Law enforcement in Pierce County is a close knit group and no one jurisdiction can function effectively without the cooperation and professional participation of all our law enforcement partners. I am a bl should you wish to discuss this further Michael Zaro Police Chief City of Lakewood 6000 Main Street SW Lakewood, WA 98499-5027 (253) 589-2489 Fax: (253) 589-3774