This is an encouraging sign of leadership, especially for those who worried that promoting Meidl from within would produce an overly protective police chief.

Former Spokane Police Guild president John Gately testified in his misdemeanor trial Monday that he told a fellow officer under investigation for rape that the county might want to collect his DNA, but didn’t reveal details about a pending search warrant.

Former Spokane Police Guild president John Gately’s

Prosecutors argued Wednesday that two phone calls made by the former Spokane Police Guild president delayed the investigation into a rape accusation against another officer and prevented them from collecting important evidence.

Many prospective jurors in the trial of former Spokane Police Guild president John Gately said they’d heard something about the case on the news, but few recalled the details of the accusations against the longtime police sergeant.

Former Spokane Police Guild president John Gately entered a not guilty plea on a new charge of rendering criminal assistance in court Friday.

Spokane Police Guild president John Gately has been charged with first-degree rendering criminal assistance and obstructing a law enforcement officer for allegedly tipping off Sgt. Gordon Ennis that he was being investigated for sexual assault.

An internal review panel placed police Sgt. Gordon Ennis on unpaid layoff status Friday after he was charged with second-degree rape earlier this week.

The DNA of the woman Spokane police officer Gordon Ennis is accused of sexually assaulting was found on the seat belt and parking brake of his car, according to new court documents.

Spokane police Sgt. Gordon Ennis was arrested Wednesday on second degree rape charges, according to a Spokane County Sheriff’s news release. Ennis turned himself in to the Spokane County Jail at about 4:30 p.m.