Colfax reinstates fired police chief

The Colfax Civil Service Commission has agreed to reinstate the city’s fired police chief with full back pay.

The commission, which met Tuesday, is expected to release a written ruling Aug. 1 expanding on its decision to allow Colfax Police Chief Rick McNannay to return to work.

McNannay was fired in January after accusations from the city that he was dishonest about following state hiring standards.

According to emails exchanged with city staff and the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, which were provided by McNannay, the Colfax Police Department in 2016 did not follow the state-mandated requirement of performing background checks – including issuing polygraph tests – when hiring part-time officers who were already working at other local law enforcement agencies.

McNannay said after he was made aware of the mandate, he worked to correct the issue.

Attorneys for McNannay have appeared in front of the Civil Service Commission for the past several months arguing his termination was without cause.

McNannay, who has been with the Colfax Police Department since 2012, will return to work Aug. 1.

“I’m just glad that the truth finally came out,” he said.

Alexandria Drake, one of McNannay’s attorneys, said she and her team are thrilled with the result.

“The commission absolutely made the right call,” Drake said.

Ronald Van Wert, the city’s attorney, said the city will consider appealing the decision after it receives more information from the commission.

McNannay’s legal team still plans to file a tort claim notice next week, which is a precursor to a $5.2 million lawsuit against the city, Drake said. The lawsuit will be filed on behalf of McNannay and his wife.

Drake said the reinstatement and back pay are not enough to address the full scope of financial, emotional and personal damage the city caused McNannay.

While McNannay is happy with the decision, he said it will be difficult to return to work at “a place where you’re not wanted.”

“I’ll make the best of it and move from there,” he said.

McNannay said he has always put his “heart and soul” into protecting the people of Colfax.

“I look forward to getting that opportunity again,” he said.