ARLINGTON — Jonathan Ventura’s promotion to chief of the Arlington Police Department June 6 came as part of a wave of promotions, hires and departures.
Arlington has been without a chief since May of 2014, when it promoted fire chief Bruce Stedman to the newly created role of public safety director.
Ventura praised Stedman, saying, “For a while, our department was a ship without a rudder, but now, while we still face challenges, at least we have a map, a compass and a direction.”
Mayor Barbara Tolbert hailed the promotions of Ventura and Peter Barrett, who went to sergeant that same evening, as examples of how the city has been able to develop talent within its department to promote from within, rather than hiring from the outside.
“I’ve seen a lot of police chiefs come and go here, so it’s gratifying that they’re looking within the department for future talent,” Ventura agreed.
Council member Chris Raezer recalled first meeting Ventura during a ride-along about a decade ago.
“It lasted for about seven hours,” Raezer said. “In the years since, I’ve been proud to watch you grow, and there’s no doubt in my mind that you’re the right person for this job.”
Ventura has served more than 16 years with Arlington police. He has helped build the Arlington Crime Prevention League and “All-In” campaign, and has presided over the town hall, business watch and neighborhood crime prevention meetings. He’s also worked to expand the volunteer program to include community patrols.
Tolbert credited Ventura with establishing tools for the department’s K9 Program and Pro-Act Team to address squatting and illicit drug use. He recently spoke with legislators in Olympia to request more assistance to address mental health, addiction and homelessness issues.
Ventura’s assignments have included patrol officer, school resource officer, detective, master patrol officer, detective sergeant, patrol sergeant, and membership in the Seattle Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Snohomish Multiple Agency Response Team, which investigates officer-involved shootings and other critical events.
Ventura helped obtain a community policing grant from the Department of Justice to hire an additional police officer. Kyle Strand was sworn in as Arlington’s newest police officer that same night.
Strand was raised in Marysville, and graduated from Marysville-Pilchuck High School, then from Washington State University, with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He’s currently pursuing his master’s degree from Arizona State University in emergency management and homeland Security.
As for Barrett, his promotion comes after more than a dozen years with Arlington police, including five and a half as a major crimes detective and six on patrol. The last two years, he’s served as a field training officer.
Stedman credited Barrett with easing his transition from the fire service into supervising a police department as well, especially as they faced community groups who had concerns with their levels of policing.
“I could tell some of them were irate, but Peter had my back,” Stedman said, crediting Barrett with also helping implement the “All-In” campaign.
Tolbert also praised Stedman.
“I’d seen his leadership in the fire department, and had this crazy idea for a public safety director position. In the two years since, he’s shown us what leadership and professionalism look like, and left us with a greater department,” she said.
Also, although Terry Quintrall will remain with the department as its new police services manager, he’s transitioning from commissioned law enforcement to civilian service, so Ventura felt it was important to honor his 24 years of service.
“The tradition in the law enforcement service community calls for a retiring member to receive a badge and retirement ID when he’s separating in good standing,” Ventura said.
