When Anne Kirkpatrick assumed the police chief’s position in Spokane, the city was digging in against the public outcry over the death of Otto Zehm in police custody and the destruction of possible evidence in a firehouse sex scandal.

While it was somewhat encouraging that then-Mayor Dennis Hession selected a new chief from outside the community, there were low expectations for a cultural shift at the Police Department.

But thus far the chief has made big changes in public relations, accountability and discipline. The result is a more professional and responsible police force.

Three recent events show she means business:

“She fired a police officer, even though he was cleared of sexual abuse allegations. Rather than use the exoneration as an excuse to keep the officer, she dumped him for using a department camera for taking pictures of a woman’s bare breasts and for drinking alcohol in a police car.

“She affirmed her wish to replace the city’s ineffectual police oversight panel with a professional ombudsman’s office. She hired the Seattle consultant who recommended the change. If the police unions don’t water down the proposal in negotiations, the City Council should have an independent, responsive system in front of them by spring.

“She has ended the practice of giving officers discretion to conduct strip searches in the field.

Such a search in 2005 has led to a $1.25 million lawsuit against the city. Rather than keeping quiet until the lawsuit is resolved, she has acknowledged that what the officers did was plainly illegal and has ordered a revision to the department’s manual. She is bringing in a risk-management expert to examine other department practices.

“All of our policies and procedures will be on the cutting edge of practices in the nation,” she said recently.

To keep her officers up to date on the latest changes in criminal law, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission instructs them monthly.

The chief has also improved the department’s communications with the public and the media by tearing down some of the us-versus-them walls that had been erected over the years. Her progressive approach is refreshing, because it often seemed the department was determined to protect and serve itself.

When she was interviewing for the position, Kirkpatrick made it clear that she could leave if a better opportunity presented itself. But in a recent article, she said she’s enjoying Spokane more than she expected. Hopefully, Spokane can show that it feels the same way about her and she will stay longer than she expected.