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Washougal’s new police chief says his local experience brings insight into agency’s issues, successes and failures

Zane Freschette has been with department since 2005

By Becca Robbins, Columbian staff reporter
Published: January 24, 2025, 6:05am
3 Photos
Washougal’s newest police chief, Zane Freschette, as seen at Washougal City Hall on Wednesday afternoon. Freschette was sworn in Jan. 13, following former Chief Wendi Steinbronn’s Dec. 31 retirement.
Washougal’s newest police chief, Zane Freschette, as seen at Washougal City Hall on Wednesday afternoon. Freschette was sworn in Jan. 13, following former Chief Wendi Steinbronn’s Dec. 31 retirement. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian) Photo Gallery

Washougal’s newest police chief rose through the ranks over 20 years.

Zane Freschette was sworn in Jan. 13, following the Dec. 31 retirement of former Chief Wendi Steinbronn. He was hired as a patrol officer at the agency in 2005. He worked up to detective, then sergeant and became captain in 2019.

Despite the nearly two decades of experience he brings to the office, Freschette said he’s been learning more than he realized since taking over as chief.

“It’s very different than what I was doing before,” he said. “It’s been somewhat chaotic, but in a good way. I’m surrounded by great people at really every level. Just keep plugging away and eyes on the prize, as far as the mission and our strategic plan and doing all the things that we’re supposed to be doing.”

While the agency benefited from the knowledge Steinbronn brought from her stint with the Portland Police Bureau, Freschette said, he also knows his local experience means he brings valuable insight into the agency’s issues and successes and failures.

“I also do think that there’s some value in just having the years of institutional knowledge and understanding, not just the folks in the community, but what truly the needs of the community are,” he said.

Freschette is also Washougal police’s first graduate from the FBI’s National Academy, a professional leadership program for law enforcement officials from around the world. After completing the program in March, Freschette said he left with a strong support network of other law enforcement officials.

Freschette takes over a department that is nearly fully staffed, with 21 out of 22 sworn positions filled and one person working through the hiring process, he said. That’s a big difference from several years ago, when Washougal’s police department was feeling a similar strain as other agencies and few people were eager to become police officers, he said.

Now, he’s focused on ensuring a culture centered on public service and ensuring proper officer wellness.

“My No. 1 priority is happy officers that are here and want to serve the community so that we have a happy and safe and healthy community,” he said.

He’s also conscious of the city’s growing population and the likely need to boost staffing in the next few years. He considers the department fortunate to have a large base of support from residents and elected officials.

“We’re in a really good spot, and my hope is just to continue to build on that and really just continue to build a great relationship with the community,” he said.

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