Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh and Winlock Mayor Don Bradshaw met to mediate the police contract between the two cities and were able to come to an amicable agreement. The Winlock City Council approved the transition period on June 11, 2018, and the Toledo City Council approved it on June 18. Transition started June 15 to be completed August 15.
Winlock also agreed to pay Toledo the transportation cost for transporting prisoners from Winlock to the Lewis County jail in the event that Winlock is unable to do the transport itself.
Between now and August 15, the Toledo Police Department will be working with Winlock's new Police Chief Stephen Valentine. Chief Valentine was appointed on June 25 at the Winlock City Council meeting.
Bradshaw stated, "I am proud to announce that Steven Valentine is our new Chief of Police. Stephen is a former graduate of Napavine High School. He is also a graduate of Centralia Community College in Law and Justice and he is a former Police Sergeant with over six years experience. Effective June 26, 2018, Police Chief Valentine will be in the area introducing himself to the residents. Winlock will have a fully qualified Chief of Police with roots and ties to the local area."
Bradshaw further stated, "We are now in the process of advertising and interviewing for a police officer position."
Bradshaw expressed, "I want to thank Toledo Mayor Steve Dobosh, Toledo City Attorney Jim Buzzard, Winlock City Attorney Sam Satterfield and Commissioner Bobby Jackson for making this happen in a timely and equitable fashion with all parties being satisfied."
Dobosh stated, "I am very proud of the work and dedication by Chief Brockmueller and the other officers. We feel that the service provided to both cities, the time commitment, and the relationships made with the citizens and businesses were successful. As this contract is ending, we felt there was a strong benefit with having more officers on duty and a cost savings for both cities. The City of Toledo decided it to be in its best interest to terminate the contract early due to the negativity and now we can move forward in a positive manner. Although it was disappointing that all did not see the benefits of the contract, the City of Toledo will now move forward by concentrating on the City of Toledo and wishing all officers well." After the transition period the Toledo Police Department will have a police chief and one officer.