RTIZVILLE — New Ritzville Police Chief Mike Suniga said he’s learned a lot over his law enforcement career. 

“I got hooked when I was an Explorer Scout,” he said. “It was just one of those things where I could see myself doing this and see myself making a career. And as I matured in law enforcement, I (thought), ‘How am I going to leave a lasting impact?’ I love helping people, and I love being able to solve problems, whether it’s through the criminal justice system or through other systems and programs that are available.” 

Suniga took over the job Monday. Previously, he was the Reardon Police chief, and before that, he worked for the Airway Heights Police Department for 15 years, he said. He started his career in Medical Lake. He also served in the Washington Air National Guard, retiring in 2022. 

“I did 21 and a half years in the Air National Guard as a security (officer),” he said.  

Suniga replaces interim chief Bill Benner, who replaced longtime RPD Chief Dave McCormick. McCormick was with the department for 32 years. 

His goals in law enforcement changed a little bit over time, Suniga said, and that evolution was one of the things that brought him to Ritzville.  

“Medical Lake was more of a bedroom community. When I went to Airway (Heights) I was a younger officer, ready for more excitement. I got a lot of it,” he said. 

Now he wants to pass on what he’s learned to his new department. 

“In December, I will hit 20 years being a full-time law enforcement officer. I want to be able to share my knowledge and further develop the agency and create a lasting benchmark on the agency that everyone will be excited about,” Suniga said.  

He's talked to Benner and McCormick, he said, and wants to build on the work they’ve done. 

“In doing my research and homework, I know that there’s a great opportunity for growth in Ritzville, (for the) Ritzville police to do some good things in the community, as far as expansion and things like that. Bringing in a different way of looking at law enforcement, but keeping that small-town feel, is what I’m excited to bring,” Suniga said. 

One of his initiatives, he said, will be to increase the use of technology, something he was able to do in Reardon. 

“I love using technology to help officers. In Reardon, I was able to acquire about $90,000 worth of grant money that went towards technology and improvements on different things that Reardon couldn’t necessarily afford without those grants,” he said. “I want to leverage those technologies to make policing and Ritzville safer.” 

Ritzville has four police officers, including the chief, with the potential of hiring a fifth. Retaining officers is difficult for any agency these days, he said, especially smaller agencies. One of his goals is to make Ritzville a department where officers come to stay for a while. 

“Coming up with unique strategies that may not have been used in these small communities. A good example is (Ritzville) recently (allowed) applicants to live up to 30 miles outside the community,” he said. 

There are more opportunities like that, he said. 

“Maybe (recruiting) applicants from out of state, who maybe are ready to retire and are looking at having another career or looking at part-time officers to help supplement the (department), or maybe even reserve officers,” Suniga said. “I’m looking forward to presenting and trying those options to see how we can get Ritzville to keep and maintain its law enforcement to a standard that the community and the council and the mayor want.” 

Ritzville is a small town, but because it’s on major highway routes, its officers can encounter problems that start out of town. Suniga said he’s familiar with that since Airway Heights and Reardon also are on important transportation routes. Given the traffic volumes, incidents are going to happen, he said.  

“Preparing our officers for that eventuality, making sure they have the training they need, the equipment they need and the support they need so that when that happens, they are able to handle that situation,” he said. 

He’s looking forward to the job, he said.  

“I’m very excited to better understand the needs and the priorities of the department and go out and meet the community, understand what their needs are as it relates to law enforcement,” he said. 

    The city of Ritzville has a new police chief; Mike Suniga took over the job Monday.