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Royal City weighs options for new police chief

CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 2 months AGO
by CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | January 20, 2021 1:00 AM

ROYAL CITY — Royal City officials aren’t sure how they’re going to replace retiring Royal City Police Chief Darin Smith.

Mayor Kent Anderson said Thursday officials were working with the city’s attorney to look at their options.

Smith recently announced his retirement. He has been on medical leave for about a year, and Rey Rodriguez has been acting as interim chief.

The Royal City Police Department will have three officers when a new chief is hired, Anderson said. City officials are considering hiring a fourth officer to work as a school resource officer when schools are back in session full time, he said.

ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway
April 3, 2026 3 a.m.

Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway

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