.png)
NEWPORT — Suddenly and without explanation, Newport Police Department chief Wade Nelson has resigned after about three years of service.
Nelson did not respond to a request for comment. Reached by phone Monday, Oct. 19, Mayor Keith Campbell confirmed Nelson’s resignation, but refused to comment on his reason for it. The city has appointed an interim chief, officer Shad Swanson, leaving an opening for lateral police officer.
“I’m not going to elaborate,” Campbell said. Furthermore, Campbell said neither he nor the Newport City Council planned to announce or discuss Nelson’s resignation publicly.
Later that day, they were forced to when Civil Service Commission chair Jared Horton questioned Campbell and council members about Nelson’s resignation during their regular meeting.
The Civil Service Commission is a city board whose powers and duties are established by state law in connection with the selection, appointment and employment of police, according to the city website. Come audience participation, Horton said the city did not notify the commission of Nelson’s resignation or of the new interim chief position.
“If there is a new position, like interim, if we are adding to somebody’s existing role, this is all things that have to be approved by Civil Service Commission,” Horton said.
Otherwise, Swanson and the city itself could be held significantly liable in the event of a use-of-force case, employee complaint or lawsuit, Horton said.
According to state law, the chief was under the commission’s purview if the police department had fewer than six commissioned officers, including the chief themself. Campbell and city administrator Abby Gribi said they thought that the chief was under the mayor’s purview, as Gribi last checked the civil service laws around 2025.
“It appears that there is some kind of a division between what the RCW says and what our city code says,” Horton said.
Campbell responded that city officials had been working through the city attorney and would meet with the commission, as well as rectify any discrepancies between the municipal code and state law. He thanked Horton for bringing this to the council’s attention.
Nelson’s resignation prompted a commission meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20. Horton admitted to the council that the commission last met around March, meaning commission members were not meeting at least quarterly as required by state law.
“That’d be another resolution that we’re going to need to do, or something with another policy we’re going to have to review,” council member Mark Zorica said.
As NPD chief, Nelson oversaw the implementation of an 11 p.m.-to-5 a.m. juvenile curfew and increases in traffic stops, among other law enforcement changes.
Previously, Nelson worked for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, gaining experience with civil matters, search and rescue, sex crimes and defensive tactics instruction. He unsuccessfully ran for Spokane County Sheriff in 2022.
