CENTRALIA — City Manager Dan Ramey has announced that 49-year-old Lt. Brian Atchison will assume the duties of acting Chief of Police effective October 1, 2016 until a permanent Chief is hired.

Ramey states the City will be taking applications locally within the Centralia Police Department as well as conducting a wide search to find a permanent Chief of Police as a replacement for Doug Krutsinger, who is retiring on September 30, 2016.

Ramey states that Lt. Atchison has agreed to assume the duties of acting Chief of Police but at this time has no intention of applying for the permanent position.

Atchison is a 27 year veteran of the Centralia Police Department and currently serves as the Commander of Administration. Atchison was appointed to Patrolman in October 1989, promoted to Sergeant in December 2000, and promoted to Lieutenant in November 2002.

Atchison served as a Field Training Officer and Field Training Commander and has been a member of the department High Risk Team since its inception.

According to Ramey, Atchison’s experience on the force will allow for a smoother transition when a permanent Chief is
selected.