West Seattle police: High-level change at Southwest Precinct

The Southwest Precinct‘s second-in-command, Lt. Steve Paulsen, is heading east. Precinct Captain Joe Kessler made the announcement at last night’s Precinct CItizens Advisory Council meeting: Lt. Paulsen (10/09 photo at right) is joining the downtown-based West Precinct in March; current second-watch commander Lt. Norm James will take over the Southwest Precinct Operations role; and Lt. Ron Rasmussen will come to West Seattle to fill the resulting second-watch (morning/afternoon) vacancy. Capt. Kessler tells WSB this isn’t the result of any sort of shakeup – there’s been a vacancy at the West Precinct, and Lt. Paulsen seems right for the job, not only because he spent four years as a watch commander there before, but also because he has a deep background in the kind of logistics experience you need in that area, with special events – from parades to protests – requiring strategic staffing and protection plans. Though Lt. James will take over the Operations role shortly and Lt. Rasmussen arrives next week, Capt. Kessler says Lt. Paulsen won’t be leaving the SW Precinct immediately – he’s there until early March “helping with the transition and doing special project work.” He adds that he’s worked before with Lt. Rasmussen, who has been working most recently at headquarters downtown, focused on special projects such as the Neighborhood Policing Plan. What does all this mean to you? Probably not much – but since Lt. Paulsen has been a highly public face of the precinct, attending meetings and providing information for many of the stories we check out, we thought you’d want to know. Thanks to Pete Spalding, who leads the Precinct Citizens Advisory Council, for first word of last night’s announcement; Capt. Kessler mentioned another bit of news from last night’s meeting – 34th District Democrats chair Tim Nuse attended to present him with a card and letter thanking local police for their service – the captain says that was “heartwarming.”

Next public meeting at the precinct is a week and a half away – West Seattle Crime Prevention Council at 7 pm Tuesday, Jan. 19 – if you’re got questions about the precinct changes, including not only this but also the city-attorney change we reported earlier this week (followup still in the works), be there!

4 Replies to "West Seattle police: High-level change at Southwest Precinct"

  • cop lover January 8, 2010 (8:00 pm)

    “Since Lt. Paulsen has been a highly public face of the precinct, attending meetings and providing information for many of the stories we check out.” – WSB
    Is it good for the community to have such changes?
    Wouldn’t it be better to have some consistent public presence for the Southwest Division?
    Recently announced departures (the local DA person) makes one wonder?

  • shane January 9, 2010 (8:06 am)

    Crime Prevention Council won’t be the same without those 2

  • Pete January 9, 2010 (8:36 am)

    cop lover….there are always changes within the SPD command structure. As folks retire, get promoted, take on new responsibilities these moves happen. We have been lucky that Steve has been with us for 4 1/2 years. He is being moved to take advantage of certain skills that he has developed over his 25 + year career with SPD. He is also in line for a much bigger job in the future. As far as Beth getting moved you need to look to the voters who elected a new City Atty who is making his mark on how he wants that office structured. Just like moves that our new Mayor is making so the City Atty is making moves. It has nothing to do with their job performance or other West Seattle factors. But don’t be fooled they will be missed but I am certain that Norm and Mac will not miss a beat and I for one am excited about this new chapter.

  • cop lover January 10, 2010 (10:15 pm)

    Spoken like a politician Pete.
    The fact that, “there are always changes within the SPD command structure” is the point I make.
    Having a constantly changing face in no way helps in community policing. Sure cops retire, get injured, even die but that is not the issue. The issue is a lack of follow through. Why not get officers that can commit to the community and not to the rotating door of promotions and “a much bigger job in the future.”?
    Having Beth from the City Attorney’s Office depart
    is certainly the new CA’s prerogative, but in doing so the mark he is making on West Seattle is negative.
    How can Pete claim with certainty that, “It has nothing to do with their job performance or other West Seattle factors?” What does Pete know?

    “But don’t be fooled they will be missed but I am certain that Norm and Mac will not miss a beat and I for one am excited about this new chapter.”
    Great, Pete is excited.
    But his sentence is a classic of politic speak. It makes little sense. They can be missed on a personal level, fine. But if their work can be assumed by someone else, without missing a beat, then they were not needed or not doing their job well. Staffing changes that put a different face of SPD to our community should not be celebrated like replacing squad cars or equipment.

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