Police staffing update: four sworn vacancies and two promotions effective May 1, chief says

Deputy Police Chief Jeff Young reported to the Lake Stevens Civil Service Commission on April 11 that the police department currently has four sworn vacancies and several officers temporarily non‑deployable while in training or on leave.

"We currently are holding 4 vacancies for sworn officer," Young said, and noted the department had a command interview with a lateral candidate from Georgia who successfully passed the interview and had a polygraph scheduled for the next day. Young said the candidate is moving to background and the department hopes to complete the equivalency academy and background checks quickly to prevent other agencies from hiring the candidate.

Young announced two personnel moves effective May 1: "We are promoting Chris Lyons to corporal effective May 1. Alex Michael will be moving into the investigations unit on May 1 as well." He also told commissioners the department has encountered some challenges in candidate backgrounds but is "plugging through" the process and hopes to fill open positions this year and later request a '+2' headcount from the city council.

Commissioners asked whether the lateral candidate was from Georgia and whether promotions would be presented to city council; Young said the lateral moved for family reasons and that academy placement will be in Snohomish County once finalized. He said he will share further details when confirmations are complete.

The update focused on recruitment progress, the outlook for filling vacancies, and next steps to process interviews and background investigations.