Sunnyside police chief is fired

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

SUNNYSIDE – Sunnyside Police Chief Albert Escalera has been terminated. He had served as police chief since May 2014. City Manager Elizabeth Alda said increased crime, officer-involved shootings, and reports of misconduct from within the department were behind the decision.

“I have not come to this decision lightly, but ultimately believe my decision best serves the interests of the police department, the city as a whole, and the community of Sunnyside,” Alba stated in a news release issued Monday.

Alba also said the working relationship between a city manager and police chief requires a high degree of trust and cohesion, but she believes those qualities were lacking between herself and Escalera.

Robert Layman, currently a sergeant with the Sunnyside Police Department has been appointed by Alba as acting police chief until a permanent replacement can be named. In addition to Escalera’s termination, Police Commander Scott Bailey is on paid administrative leave pending the results of an internal investigation of misconduct.

Alba said Bailey’s leave is not disciplinary in nature and should not be construed as any adverse findings about his position at this time.