Cosmopolis council authorizes Aberdeen takeover of policing and empowers chief to surplus equipment

The Cosmopolis City Council on Dec. 17 voted to authorize its police chief to surplus department equipment and confirmed a transition to full policing services from the Aberdeen Police Department beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

Mayor Springhill and multiple council members framed the change as fiscally necessary but difficult: the mayor said the Aberdeen contract will provide “more coverage than we have had in the past couple of years” and will also reduce annual costs. Council member Skinner, who introduced the surplus-item agenda addition, said the chief requested authority to move quickly because the local department will close Dec. 31.

Chief Layman described the items to be surplused as including computers, training pistols, rifles, shotguns, stop sticks, spike strips, radios and other equipment. He told the council that several agencies had already expressed interest in specific firearms and vehicles and that transfers to other law‑enforcement agencies would follow agency-to-agency transfer procedures rather than public auction when appropriate. “If an agency doesn’t want them, then they’re gonna get smashed into the dumpster if you approve for them to be surplus,” he said, arguing for the council to give him discretion to find appropriate recipients.

The council amended the motion to explicitly give Chief Layman authority to make final surplus decisions and voted the amendment and motion into effect by voice vote.

Public commenters reacted largely with support for the Aberdeen arrangement and praise for Chief Layman’s service. One resident said Aberdeen officers had been “incredibly professional, well done” during recent incidents and that the town was “in good hands.” Council members and residents repeatedly thanked Chief Layman for nearly 27 years of service; the council announced a reception and a journal for citizens to leave notes of appreciation.

The action is a procedural step tied to the administrative transition: the council did not adopt new policing policy language at this meeting but approved the surplus-disposal authority needed to transfer or dispose of equipment during the handover to Aberdeen.

What happens next: with authority granted, the chief may complete interagency transfers or disposals in the coming days to prepare for the department’s closure on Dec. 31. The Aberdeen Police Department will handle ongoing patrol and response functions under the contract beginning Jan. 1, 2026, according to presentations to the council.

(Attribution: quotes and on-the-record remarks come from Mayor Springhill, Council member Skinner, and Chief Layman as recorded in the meeting.)