Pasco City Manager Dave Zabell has named Ken Roske, current Pasco Police Deputy Chief, as the new Pasco Police Chief.
After a national search that drew nearly 20 candidates from across the nation, the City has selected the next Chief of Police from within the Department. This selection is the first time in more than half a century that an internal candidate has been named Police Chief.
Deputy Chief Roske has a 33-year career in law enforcement experience serving in progressively responsible leadership positions. Roske began his career as a Pasco police officer in 1986, promoted to the rank of Sargent in 1998, Captain in 2004, and Deputy Chief in 2017. Outside of the Department Roske has served in several key leadership positions within his profession including seven years as Tri-Cities Regional SWAT Incident Commander, State President of Fraternal Order of Police, Chair of the Columbia Basin College Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.
Roske holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management and a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership, both from the Union Institute & University. Roske is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
"The two top candidates, Ken Roske, and Sunnyside Chief Al Escalera underwent an extensive background process, which confirmed each is a distinguished law enforcement professional with truly remarkable careers, making a final decision challenging," said City Manager Zabell. "Selecting a Police Chief is situational, and in this case, came down to determining who among the candidates is best suited to lead the Pasco Police Department forward, becoming a contributing member of the City's Executive Leadership Team, serving the people as the Police Chief, and so for Pasco, Ken Roske had the edge," added Zabell.
The City underwent a thorough and deliberative process in selecting its Chief, enlisting the assistance of the Prothman Company, an executive recruitment company. Also, the process included interview panels with several community members, third party background checks by Public Safety Testing, and multiple interviews between the City Manager and the finalists and others.
Roske will be formally sworn in at the Monday, October 7 Pasco City Council Meeting.
The City of Pasco strives to continue improving the quality of community life in Pasco.
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