Steilacoom silent on police chief’s departure after 16 years
Steilacoom’s police chief has left the department, and neither he nor the town will say why.
TJ Rodriguez and the Town of Steilacoom agreed to end Rodriquez’s employment on Oct. 31, according to records obtained by The News Tribune.
Rodriguez received three months’ salary, $31,643, and sick leave compensation, $11,247, according to the separation agreement.
The Town Administrator, Paul Loveless, would not elaborate on the cause of the separation with Rodriguez, who worked for the town for 16 years.
Asked if Rodriguez left the department voluntarily, his attorney, Joan Mell, declined to comment.
Steilacoom police Sgt. Tom Yabe is serving as interim chief.
Rodriquez, who served as police chief and director of safety, received an annual salary of about $126,571. He received a Superior Performance Award in 2012, a Medal of Merit in 2018 and a Distinguished Service Award in 2019, according to public records.
In response to questions from The News Tribune, Steilacoom officials said there have been no formal, written complaints about Rodriguez within the last two years.
The News Tribune requested his employment contract and received this response: “The Town does not utilize employment contracts at this time.”
The News Tribune also requested emails and internal investigation documents pertaining to Rodriguez’s departure. The town declined to disclose them, saying they were being withheld under attorney/client privilege.
This story was originally published December 4, 2019 at 6:00 AM.
