Valley’s Walker to quit police

Spokane Valley Police Chief Cal Walker announced his resignation from the Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday.

Walker is leaving the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office after almost 20 years, and less than a month after losing a race against Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich in the Republican primary. He plans to stay in the position through the end of November.

“Like any leader, Ozzie needs to surround himself with people who share his vision, and that’s not what exists between Ozzie and I right now,” Walker said. “It’s not a secret that we haven’t had the depth of relationship it takes for a successful partnership.”

The men profess mutual respect, but Walker said the election created “a wedge within our agency … It became Ozzie versus Cal, and we need to be seen as working together.”

Walker’s departure, Knezovich said, “wasn’t something I was expecting.”

Both men said Knezovich told Walker two weeks ago that he could remain as Spokane Valley chief. Knezovich said Walker told him at the time that he was still considering his options.

Walker said he is leaving law enforcement to work in the private sector, in a job he described as “a mix of some startup stuff and some that already exist.” He provided no other details.

Walker said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family.

“It’s been literally years since I have not been tied to a phone as a detective or a commander,” Walker said. “This opens up a lot of time. My family supported me so much this last year, and it’s time I repay that.”

Spokane Valley city officials said they were disappointed to hear the news. The young city contracts with the Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement, and Walker oversees that operation.

At public meetings in Spokane Valley, the tone between Walker and city leaders was almost always congenial.

Mayor Diana Wilhite and Walker have worked together since 2003, when the city of Spokane Valley was incorporated. She credits Walker with helping craft much of the city’s first police contract with Spokane County and building the credibility of the city’s police force.

“We kind of both grew up getting the city running and on its feet,” Wilhite said.

Wilhite and Councilman Steve Taylor said they were impressed with the time Walker took to discuss police issues with them. The city will look for similar qualities in Walker’s replacement, as well as a thorough understanding of the city’s contract with Spokane County, Taylor said.

In the coming weeks, Knezovich will provide three candidates for Spokane Valley chief to City Manager Dave Mercier, who will chose from among them.

Knezovich said he will move quickly, choosing the candidates from his five-member command staff, which includes jail Commander Jerry Brady, Undersheriff Larry Lindskog, Capt. Russ Shane, Capt. Bruce Matthews and Undersheriff Jeff Tower, as well as from a list of three candidates being considered for a promotion to the rank of captain.

Sgt. Dave Reagan, the Sheriff’s Office spokesman and a Walker supporter in the recent election, said he’ll miss Walker’s experience, talent and leadership.

As a detective, Walker was involved in a pair of high-profile investigations – the Robert Yates serial killer task force and the case in which Deputy Tom DiBartolo was convicted of murdering his wife. As Spokane Valley police chief, he made the increase in property crimes a priority.

“Cal has been a big asset to the community, but I believe he’s doing what he thinks is right for the community and the Sheriff’s Office,” Reagan said. “He doesn’t want to see either one of them harmed. I respect him for that.”