Brad Moericke didn’t just get a promotion, he got a full-circle moment.
The 43-year-old, who was confirmed as Sumner’s new police chief this month, began his career in law enforcement in the East Pierce County city more than 20 years ago.
“I bought my first house here, made a lot of friends here over the years,” Moericke said.
Although his somewhat unconventional career path led him away from Sumner for several years, he returned in 2008 as the deputy police chief.
And now he’s the top cop, replacing Chief John Galle, who was elevated this year to Sumner city administrator.
“(Moericke) brings a lot of knowledge and a love of Sumner,” said Mayor Dave Enslow, who selected him for the chief job. “He has the skills, the knowledge, the background.”
The City Council confirmed him during a meeting earlier this month. Moericke’s annual salary will be $123,108.
The Yakima native first came to Sumner in 1988. He volunteered with the city fire department. He began working part-time as an emergency dispatcher in 1989 and became a commissioned police officer the next year.
Moericke stayed with the force about eight years, working his way to sergeant, and then left to help run a retail business in the Seattle area. He eventually became a lawyer and worked 31/2 years with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office.
Moericke also served four years on Seattle’s Office of Professional Accountability Review Board, which provides community oversight of the Police Department.
He returned to Sumner as deputy chief in spring 2008. He told The News Tribune at the time that police work was “where my heart is.”
He’s been acting police chief since May.
Moericke called police work “one of the noblest professions” in an interview Tuesday. He said his goal is “to continue to operate a professional department that’s going to strive to maintain the respect and trust of the community.”
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