Chief’S Concerns

Alan Chertok, Spokane’s new police chief, is the second consecutive person from outside the Inland Northwest chosen to lead the Police Department.

Chertok, 45, spent most of his law enforcement career in Maryland with the Prince George’s County Police Department. After more than 20 years there, he became a major with the Newport News Police Department in Virginia. He has been second in command of that 392-officer force.

Chertok replaces Terry Mangan, the only other outsider to serve as chief of the Spokane Police Department.

The following are excerpts from an interview with Chertok by staff writer Adam Lynn:

Why were you the best choice for the job?

“I brought to Spokane, I think, some good answers to the needs of the community in general and the Police Department in particular. … One thing I will probably do after time, and certainly not immediately, is take a close look at the allocation of both the patrol and investigative components with a view toward, if indicated, an increase in efficiency.”

What’s your first priority?

“To meet as many people as I can - in the community, in the city government and, of equal importance, the men and women with whom I serve.”

How tough are you as a boss?

“Moderately. I place very achievable requests on my subordinates and then I provide them with the responsibility to carry out what needs to be done and hold them accountable for it. And I have a reasonable expectation that when the management team decides that something needs to be done, it is completed in a timely fashion without me having to bird-dog people for the results.”

Much was made during the search process about finding someone who could improve relations between the Police Department and minorities. What can they expect from you?

“They will find in short order that I am a very good communicator. … I believe in approaching people eyeball to eyeball. I hate surprises, and I like to go right at folks and try to get down to the bottom of any issues that may exist. And I think that when I show myself to be accessible, understanding and responsive to their needs, trust will grow.”

What do you think of Spokane’s community-oriented policing effort, and what can we do to improve it?

“At first blush, … I am extremely excited about the 10 COP shops that are here. I think that it is a phenomenal idea and something that I had mentioned back in Newport News. But I don’t know enough quite yet to determine how or if it should be changed and in what direction that change should occur.”

How can the Police Department streamline its operations and cut costs?

“I can’t give you concrete answers to that right now. My intention is to form the idea for an assessment plan within my first 90 to 120 days. … There is a good possibility I’ll want to do the same type of allocation study on the operational units of the Police Department just as we’re doing right now in Newport News. Perhaps that may show us some ways that we may be able to increase our efficiency by reallocating manpower or taking a look at shift-staffing schemes. That’s for the medium future.”

What are your thoughts on law enforcement challenges presented by Spokane’s growing gambling industry?

“I think that has the potential to bring in those types of personalities who are looking for a fast life and don’t, perhaps, have the same work ethic that we have. The other side of that is that the majority of my law enforcement experience has been in jurisdictions that do not have legalized gambling, so that’s one of the areas that I am weak in. I will be studying very hard to bring myself up to speed.”

Should a citizens review commission have the authority to override the police chief on a disciplinary matter?

“No. One of the things that I am called on to do here is to make decisions. And I intend to make decisions. That’s my position here. But I hear police chiefs analogize police departments as football teams and characterize themselves as simply the quarterback on the team. Well, that’s not my way. My way is, yes, I’m the boss. I’m imbued with the responsibility and I will be held ultimately accountable to the city manager for the good conduct and operation of the Police Department. … To have an outside panel being able to overturn what I think will be very measured and informed decisions causes a diminution in the perceived leadership ability of the police chief.”

What kind of immediate changes are you planning?

“Not a lot. Right at the beginning, I intend to really use my ears and eyes more than my mouth. And I like to use my mouth, so that will be difficult for me. What I intend to do is use this beginning period to learn as much as I can from those who have so much institutional knowledge to give me. And only then - and we’re talking probably a number of months - will I start to become comfortable with forming and carrying out my own philosophy. That philosophy … is: Do your job. And treat everybody, citizen and fellow employee alike, as if that person is your mother. It is that simple.”

What keeps you going professionally after 23 years in law enforcement?

“The continued excitement and the expanding developments in police technology and procedures. … There’s something new every day, but the traditional law enforcement mission continues to provide interest and excitement for me.”

What can you bring to Spokane’s serial killer investigation?

“I am somewhat removed chronologically from hands-on criminal investigation. What I do have the ability to do is integrate the different investigative bodies, take a look at what’s been done so far and, perhaps, come up with some ideas for looking at the prosecution of the investigation. Are we doing everything right? I would be just one more walking think tank. I would have to believe that the task force is composed of people who have thought of just about everything. And try as we might, sometimes a solution to a particular crime or string of crimes remains elusive. No matter how competent the Police Department may be - and from what I’ve seen, this is a darn competent Police Department - a lot of it has to do with luck. We’re just not perfect. And what I’ll try to do is examine everything that’s been done so far to try to increase our luck quotient.”

How do you relax?

“First of all, whoever is concerned about me becoming a workaholic, assure them that that’s already happened. So they need not worry any longer. I will tell you that it will be difficult to relax in the first couple of months. I have a lot that I want to learn. There’s a lot to process. How will I relax initially? Well, I’ll be house-hunting. That’s a lot of fun for me. Then I will bring with me the hobbies I had in Virginia. Flying. I love to fly. Jogging. When I can get out, I like to do that. And I’m going to be in a location where I’m going to be able to more easily do some of the leisure activities that I loved to do in the East. Skiing is one thing. I will now be able to get to snow-skiing locations much easier than in Virginia, which had a shortened season, smaller mountains and longer lift lines.”