WARDEN – The City of Warden has brought on interim police chief Juan Rodriguez from the Moses Lake Police Department after former Police Chief Rick Martin retired June 15. 

“The toughest thing is sitting and driving around and listening to Moses Lake, which has 25 calls on the board and sitting over here waiting to pull over a car,” Rodriguez said.  

Rodriguez has served MLPD for around 24 years and is currently a patrol sergeant for the department. He started his career in the City of Chelan, though, which has a smaller population like Warden. He has now been with the City of Warden for one week on Thursday.  

“Like I said, quite a change in pace,” he said. “But I think you have a great group of guys, like I mentioned earlier. They work hard. They're eager to work.” 

The City of Warden is still looking for a permanent police chief. However, until then, Rodriguez will remain in the city for another two to three weeks, he said. 

The city is offering a salary range of $105,000 to $120,000, along with a signing bonus of up to $15,000 and a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance and retirement plans. This compensation package aims to attract qualified candidates who are not only experienced but also aligned with the community’s values, Mayor Rosaelia Martinez said.  

Rodriquez said he and the team have started working on several aspects, including making sure the force looks uniform and professional, considering changing some of the gear the officers wear on a daily basis and streamlining the paperwork process so it’s all digital.  

“One of the things that we realize is that in our evidence room, we were missing an evidence room key, and integrity of evidence is so important,” he said. “So, we've changed locks. We've changed door locks as well as the PIN pad, just to keep us more secure in there, coming from a department that everything's secure.” 

Rodriquez said the main strength of the Warden Police Department is the four officers who work there.  

“They really do have the heart to be out here, working from the sergeant all the way to the new guy, the excitement and motivation that they have,” he said. “I think they are really showing that they are being proactive, and I think that is the main thing.” 

However, he said the department can work on leadership and management of responsibilities. 

“The expectations weren't clear, so they had a tough time,” he said. “I know exactly what to do, because what I'm trying to do is make sure that we're all on the same page, from the bottom guy up to Alexa, who's doing all the routings and stuff of paperwork.” 

Overall, Rodriguez said his experience in Warden has been positive so far. 

“Great people here,” he said. “Kids are waving, young kids, and I am going to say teenage kids are waving as I am going by. Talking to the people is very important to me and getting out there and meeting the community.”  

Warden Mayor Rosaelia Martinez said that she has been pleased with Rodriguez’s leadership to this point. 

“I want you to know that we value you and the time we can have you, and I know it's supposed to be three weeks, but you know, we never know, we might grow on you,” Martinez said. “I know we can't keep you; we can't keep affording you guys. But the time we can have you here though, you have been an awesome addition. I really appreciate that.”