EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata has begun the process of recruiting a new police chief following the resignation of former Police Chief Erik Koch, who stepped down after being placed on administrative leave. 

During a special meeting Oct. 23, the Ephrata City Council approved a separation agreement and release between the city and Koch. The agreement was approved without public discussion following a recommendation from city administration.  

Under the terms of the agreement, Koch is unable to discuss the separation publicly. Ephrata City Administrator Ray Towry confirmed with the Columbia Basin Herald no criminal investigation has occurred regarding the separation between Koch and the city.  

Public records requested by the Columbia Basin Herald are currently being reviewed and redacted, with the first installment expected to be completed and released to the Herald this week, according to City Clerk Rob Miller.  

Koch's resignation became effective Oct. 23, according to a city news release. During more than 20 years with the department, Koch served as a patrol officer, sergeant, captain and, beginning in November 2022, as Ephrata's police chief. 

City officials credited Koch with helping modernize technology used by officers in the field, guiding the department through the COVID-19 pandemic and managing departmental finances to ensure officers had the resources necessary to serve the community while being mindful of taxpayer dollars. 

"Erik has been invaluable to the City of Ephrata in his tenure here," Mayor Steve Oliver said in the release. "He has been an asset to our community, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors." 

In the release, Koch said relationships with fellow officers and city employees were among the highlights of his career and stated he was committed to helping provide a smooth transition for the department. 

“I want to express my sincere appreciation and respect for the men and women that I had the privilege to lead. Their dedication to protecting the community is inspiring. I have the utmost respect for each of them and their families. It was my honor to serve and protect the people of Ephrata over the last 22 years,” Koch said in his resignation letter.  

The City Council, mayor and city administration also thanked Koch for his service as a member of the United States Marine Corps and for his more than two decades in law enforcement serving the Ephrata community. 

To maintain leadership within the department during the transition, the council approved an agreement bringing former Ephrata Police Chief Chris Atkinson back in a temporary consulting role. According to city officials, Atkinson will assist with administrative duties within the department through March 15, 2027, unless the agreement is terminated earlier or extended. 

Towry told council members that staffing the department's administrative needs required additional support while the city conducts a search for a permanent chief. 

"One of the things that you want to do is support our law enforcement officers, and they continue to move forward," Towry said during the meeting. "The administrative needs within that department really do require two people." 

The council also appointed Capt. Troy Froewiss to serve as the department's interim chief law enforcement officer. 

Towry said state requirements mandate that the city maintain a commissioned law enforcement officer in charge of the agency while a permanent chief is recruited. City officials considered Froewiss as well as candidates from neighboring agencies before selecting him for the interim role. 

"We felt it was best that we utilized Capt. Froewiss for that time frame," Towry said. 

The city simultaneously launched a nationwide recruitment effort for a permanent chief. 

Council members approved a contract with executive recruitment firm WBCP Inc., led by founder Wendy Brown, to oversee the search process. Brown told council members her firm has conducted executive-level recruitment for more than two decades and maintains a network of candidates throughout the western United States and beyond. 

According to city officials, the firm will handle the recruitment process from start to finish, including candidate outreach, background checks, reference reviews and assistance with interview panels. 

Mayor Steve Oliver and city staff reviewed proposals from three recruitment firms before recommending WBCP to the council. 

"We're moving forward and looking for our new chief," Towry said. "In order to cast the broadest net possible, common practice would be to find people who specialize in that." 

The city has not announced a timeline for selecting a permanent police chief.