New COPS chief on lookout for more volunteers

The new director of Spokane’s Community Oriented Policing Services is still settling into her duties, but she’s already gearing up for a recruitment drive.

Christy Hamilton is a former contracts manager and training coordinator for the Spokane County Regional Support Center and the third director in the history of the COPS program.

“I just want to meet as many people as I can right now,” Hamilton said. “This is already a very successful program, so first I want to get the lay of the land and talk to more of the volunteers before I make any changes.”

Although her staff consists of only two others, the three are responsible for managing more than 475 volunteers.

Former COPS Director Marilyn Saunders is preparing to move to Montana but will be staying on until June to help Hamilton get acclimated.

“She’ll be showing me the ropes,” Hamilton said. “Right now this consists of a lot of different meetings and neighborhood presentations.

“You have to wear a lot of different hats in the course of one day.”

Now in her mid-30s, Hamilton, and her husband, Tom, moved to Spokane when she was 21 so she could attend Eastern Washington University. They are proud owners of two “very spoiled” cocker spaniels, Desiree and Henderson – the latter named for the couple’s rare Excelsior-Henderson motorcycles.

The oldest of three daughters, Hamilton was born in Midvale, Idaho, and raised on her parents’ cattle ranch.

“We raised Angus cattle,” she recalled, “and anything you can think of that has to do with raising cattle, I’ve done it. That includes the branding.”

Hamilton stressed the constant need for volunteers and identified that as one of her primary goals.

“This team already does a great job establishing relationships with the community,” she said, “but like any other organization, there’s always room for improvement.” Hamilton believes that college students are a volunteer resource that could be used better, especially in regard to the diverse internships offered by the program.

COPS serves as a vital connection for student involvement, she said.

“I think the internships within the organization are much more varied than people are aware. There are office management positions, personnel development; it isn’t all just limited to corrections,” Hamilton said, though a great deal of her experience derives from working in a correctional environment, particularly her service on the Washington State Rehabilitation Council and her 13-year stint as the educational coordinator for the Pine Lodge Pre-Release Facility.

Hamilton is excited about her new duties as director and said Spokane’s COPS is different from similar neighborhood watch programs.

“It’s not only the number of volunteers, but their dedication and the special collaborative relationship with the Police Department,” she said.

“It’s a team effort, and furthering that is what I want to strive for – improving that teamwork.”