Mattawa approves agreement with Granger for interim chief
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 5 months AGO
Interim Mattawa Police Chief Estevan Araguz, who is also the Granger Police Department chief, poses by his police vehicle.
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald
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. | October 26, 2021 1:07 AM
MATTAWA — The Mattawa City Council on Thursday approved an interlocal agreement with Granger to pay Granger $50 per hour for its police chief, Estevan Araguz, to be Mattawa’s interim chief for six months.
The agreement, which Granger City Council approved Oct. 12, would end if a new Mattawa chief is hired before the six months ends and can be terminated by either party with 30 days notice.
Araguz replaces former interim chief Mike Williams, who resigned Sept. 10. In his resignation letter Williams, a captain with the Moses Lake Police Department, cited what he called a “toxic relationship” with some Mattawa council members.
Williams had worked for Mattawa since April. He was hired after former chief Joe Harris was placed on administrative leave, then fired April 10 by Mattawa Mayor Maria Celaya.
The interlocal agreement with Granger stipulates Araguz will be in Mattawa for an average of 10 to 20 hours per week. During the meeting Thursday, council member Tony Acosta said he wasn’t sure it was enough time. Celaya said the agreement allows for additional hours, if necessary, with any extra hours approved by her and Granger Mayor Jose Trevino.
Acosta said he thought language governing that should be in the contract, but Celaya said the existing agreement would be adequate.
Araguz will be asked to review the Mattawa Police Department’s leadership structure and make changes, if necessary, supervise and train officers, write and monitor work schedules and help with the selection of a permanent police chief. He will use a Mattawa police car, but wear his Granger uniform and equipment.
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