Yakima police chief fired, department looking to future

Yakima Police Chief Dominic Rizzi, Jr.’s time in the city will soon come to an end.

“I have determined that it is time for a new leadership to be put in place at the Yakima Police Department,” said City Manager Cliff Moore in a statement. “The YPD is constantly striving to improve. Now is the time for that effort to move to the next level, and to accomplish that goal the department needs new ideas, fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of energy from its chief.”

Moore declined to say more about what caused him to make this change, but said the department is already looking to the future.

“We’re looking forward to the things that really need to happen in the police department – focusing on recruitment and implementing the Governor’s proviso reducing gang and gun violence,” he said.

Rizzi’s employment agreement requires a 60-day period from the date of notification of termination, which came today, to the final day of employment.

Yakima police Capt. Gary Jones will serve as interim chief while a national search is conducted to find Rizzi’s successor.

Rizzi started as Yakima Police Chief in May 2012. He was born and raised in Chicago and spent more than 25 years in the city’s police department,