EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY		CONTACT:	Jim Bove, 425-556-2545
March 12, 2009			24-hour Media-Line, 425-556-2531

Redmond PD Chief retiring after 42 years in law enforcement

Redmond Police Chief Steve Harris is retiring March 31, 2009 after 28 years in the position, the third-longest current tenure in Washington State.  He has spent the past 42 years in law enforcement including 11 years with the Arvada (CO) Police Department and three years with Seaside Heights (NJ).   Redmond City Council will be honoring him Tuesday, March 17th at its 7:30 p.m. meeting.
 
"Chief Harris's career is distinguished by his leadership, innovation, and partnership efforts, and his years of service to the City have built a strong public safety foundation for citizens," remarked Mayor John Marchione.  "Under his leadership, the Redmond Police Department has long been an example for its professionalism and best practices both locally and nationally, a legacy for which our community is proud."
 
Harris became RPD chief in 1981.  His commitment to the Community Oriented Policing model and information-sharing strategies led Redmond to becoming the first department in the state to be nationally accredited in 1986.  These philosophies bolstered a trend-setting department recognized by Good Housekeeping as one of eight "Best Suburban Agencies in the United States."
 
Chief Harris directed the implementation of the Auto Theft Tactical Analysis Center of King County (ATTACK), designed to create partnerships and facilitate regional information sharing.  Since its inception in 2005, auto theft has declined 55% in Redmond and 53% in King County.  Last year the legislature provided statewide funding for auto theft reduction and cited ATTACK as a best practice in the state.


"After 28 years as Chief and 42 years in law enforcement, it's time for retirement," Harris said.  "I have worked with tremendous people and am proud of the work they have done each and every day to keep this community safe."
 
Chief Steve Harris Bio and Highlights
 
1981 - 2009  Chief of Police, Redmond Police Department; Redmond, WA

• Instituted a Community Oriented Policing organizational philosophy.
• Coordinated law enforcement and private sector policy development and partnerships locally, regionally, and nationally
• Served as president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) from 1992-1993, working directly with the United States Attorney General, members of Senate and House Judiciary Committees, and Directors of federal agencies including FBI and ATF.  He will continue to serve on IACP's Executive Committee and Private Sector Liaison Committee  
• Serves on the IACP Private Sector Liaison Committee, work in conjunction with local and national agencies to identify and develop preventative and intervention strategies to reduce school violence
• Past President of King County Police Chiefs Association
• Guest speaker at the National Conference of State Legislators
• Directed the implementation of a Fusion Center, headquartered at the Redmond Police Department, to combat auto theft, create partnerships, and facilitate regional information sharing between crime analysts, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors
• Led a similar model based on the Fusion Center to combat fraud and identity theft

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