Olympia Police Department Chief Rich Allen retires after 40 years of public service 

After 40 years of public service, Olympia Police Department Chief Rich Allen retired on Monday, June 16. 

Assistant City Manager Debbie Sullivan announced Allen's retirement at a city council meeting on Tuesday, June 10.  

Allen became police chief in 2021, during what Sullivan described as "a time when the community was asking for more transparency — he delivered." 

Under Allen's leadership, the department worked closely with a newly established police auditor, the Social Justice and Equity Commission, and a community workgroup on reimagining public safety to enhance community oversight.  

In addition, his leadership team addressed the department's long-standing and pressing needs, such as conducting a comprehensive department analysis to understand and respond to the need to hire more officers, a transition to a new jail, and the implementation of body cameras.  

During his tenure, Allen continuously updated training, policies and programs to address the community's needs and priorities.  

"Most importantly, he understands deeply what it means to provide public safety in Olympia that balances compassion and accountability, making our community safe and welcoming for everyone," Sullivan added.  

'It was not a solo act' 

During the meeting, Allen addressed the council and community, offering gratitude for his team.

"I didn't do it by myself. It was a great team that I had behind me to accomplish all those things. … It was not a solo act," Allen said.

"Policing in Olympia is not easy," he added, noting how the department balances politics, community expectations and accountability.  

According to a press release posted on the City of Olympia Facebook page, Allen had been in the public service for 40 years, including 34 years in law enforcement.

He started as a 15-year-old volunteer with the Olympia Police Department’s Police Explorers Program and worked his way up through various roles, including patrol officer, detective and motorcycle officer. He advanced through the ranks from sergeant to lieutenant, and served as deputy chief from December 2019 to September 2021.  

Allen is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds executive level certification from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.  

The police chief also expressed appreciation for the city.

“Being a cop is the best job ever invented — and being able to do it in the community I grew up in was truly special," he said.

Public Works Director Mark Russell presented Allen with a customary street name sign with his name and the number of years of his service with the Olympia community.  

The council members praised Allen for his leadership through a period of transformation in policing.  

Council member Jim Cooper thanked Allen for helping stabilize the police department during a challenging period, particularly after the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd.

He noted that the community's relative silence is a positive indicator of the department's performance.

"I think the community is proud of our police department, or we would be hearing from them a lot," Cooper said.

Council members Clark Gilman and Robert Vanderpool praised the department's commitment to professionalism and community-focused policing under Allen's leadership.  

Vanderpool said he brags to his family and others about having "possibly one of the best police forces in the country" due to the department's professionalism and community engagement.  

Gilman highlighted the department's long-held values of community-oriented policing, referencing a booklet about the difference between a "warrior" and a "guardian" that was given to him when he first joined the council. He emphasized that these values are part of a long-standing tradition within the department.  

Mayor Dontae Payne expressed appreciation for Allen's work in building community trust, particularly through processes like reimagining public safety and establishing the policing board. He also highlighted the police chief's receptiveness to inquiries and his ability to explain departmental decisions gracefully.  

City Manager Jay Burney described Allen as “innovative leader who defaults to transparency and openness" in his role.

“He stepped into the chief’s role at a time when I and our community needed him and his leadership. … He is exactly what we needed, and I am grateful to have worked alongside him the past five years,” Burney said. 

Olympia’s press release stated a new interim chief will be selected. The city will start the search for a permanent police chief early next year.  

The Olympia Police Department, which has annual operating budget of $31 million, has 127 employees, including 88 commissioned personnel and 39 professional staff.