Seattle police candidate drops out of running to be next Spokane Police chief

One of the three finalists to be the next Spokane police chief is no longer interested in the job.

James Dermody, a captain in the Seattle Police Department, told the city’s recruiter this morning that he was no longer wanted the job.

The three police chief finalists were scheduled to arrive in Spokane Tuesday, said city spokesman Brian Coddington.

Dermody already was in Spokane for the interviews when he dropped out.

Coddington said Dermody offered no explaination for changing his mind.

“It was a very brief conversation with the recruiter,” Coddington said.

Meanwhile, the two remaining candidates are moving forward with interviews previously scheduled for today.

A public reception and meeting with the finalists at the West Central Community Center will start at 4:30 p.m.

The two remaining candidates are:

Robert Lehner, the police chief of Elk Grove, California, and former police chief of Eugene, Oregon.

Dominic Rizzi Jr., the Yakima police chief since 2012, also served in the Chicago Police Department for more than 25 years.