Reception tonight features 4 Washougal police chief finalists

The next police chief of Washougal will be one of these four finalists — Marc Denney, Charles Goeken, Wendi Steinbronn or Steve Taylor — the city announced Monday.

Residents will have a chance to meet the candidates at a reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at Black Pearl on the Columbia, 56 S. First St. Guests will have the chance to informally meet and hear from each of the four and follow a series of interview panels with city and community leaders. City Manager David Scott will appoint a new chief, who is expected to start in early December.

Denney is the only candidate who currently works in Clark County; he has served as police chief in La Center the last six years. He has more than 33 years of law enforcement experience.

Goeken is a captain with Manteca Police Department in Manteca, Calif., a position he has held for the last 10 years. He has more then 25 years of experience with the police in Manteca, a community of roughly 79,000 residents, according to information put out by Washougal.

Steinbronn lives in Camas and has worked for 25 years with the Portland Police Bureau, where she has served as the acting commander and commander of North Precinct since June 2018. She has 13 years of prior leadership positions in a variety of roles, including sergeant, lieutenant, acting captain and captain.

Taylor is the assistant chief with the Searcy Police Department in Searcy, Ark., a community of approximately 24,000, according to information from Washougal. He has held that position the last four years, and prior to that held the positions of lieutenant and captain.

Washougal Police Chief Ron Mitchell will retire in late November after serving as the chief since 2009. He started his career with the Washougal Police Department in 1996.