WWPD chief finalists visit this week
By Terry Murry on Monday, March 14th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – The city of Walla Walla is announcing the final candidates for the position of chief of the Walla Walla Police Department. In alphabetical order, the four finalists are: Chris T. Buttice of Touchet; Robin Hartney of Herriman, Utah; Lawrence Hunter of Waterbury, Connecticut; and Albert Roque of Washington County, Oregon. Current WWPD Chief Scott Bieber will retire on April 30.
The community will have a chance to meet the finalists on Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Sacajawea/Clark Room at The Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center, 6 W. Rose St.
Chris T. Buttice is a captain with the Walla Walla Police Department, and has served with the department since 1997.
Robin Hartney is employed by Trident Security Solutions in Salt Lake City where she serves as security advisor/executive protection for USA Gymnastics. From 1996-2019, she served with the Salt Lake City Police Department beginning as a 911 dispatcher and progressing to lieutenant/executive officer to the chief.
Lawrence Hunger is the owner and chief executive officer of LMH Consulting Services and is an adjunct professor at the University of Bridgeport and Post University. He began his career with the Waterbury Police Department in 1995, rising to the rank of captain. In 2019, he formed LMH, which helps prospective police officers prepare for careers in law enforcement.
Albert Roque is chief deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Hillsboro, Oregon. He began his law enforcement career in 2003, progressing from patrol deputy to his current role. From 2016-19 he served as police chief with the city of Cornelius, Oregon.
Following the meet and greet on March 16 with city employees and community members, the finalists will be interviewed on March 17, by three panels: the city leadership team, a community panel, and a professional law enforcement panel. The panelists will then debrief with City Manager Nabiel Shawa. On March 18, Shawa will interview the top two or three candidates, then decide which candidate he selects.
