Mabton Police Chief transitions to public safety director role due to new state law

MABTON, Wash. — A new law effective Monday in Washington State allows part-time commissioned officers to earn retirement benefits.

However, it also means already-retired officers, like Mabton Police Chief Eduardo Garcia, who have returned to work part-time to help with the nationwide law enforcement shortage, will no longer be able to collect their retirement benefits unless they leave law enforcement.

Garcia, who is no longer the police chief, agreed to stay on as a civilian public safety director until the council can find a new chief.

“I can’t wear the uniform and I can’t make an arrest, but I can still do all the other duties that I was doing before, which is approve reports, keep the city, the police department, from litigation, getting sued,” Garcia said.

Garcia’s contract is month-to-month, and once a new police chief is found, he will officially retire and the public safety director position will be eliminated.

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