The Newcastle Police Department is an officer deeper for the first time since 1999.
Chris Leyba officially brought the department’s roster to seven patrol officers at the start of the new year.
“The additional officer is going to be great for this city,” said Newcastle Police Chief Melinda Irvine.
The Newcastle City Council approved funding for a seventh officer in late 2014 as it wrapped up deliberations on the 2015 budget.
Even though the addition would not come until 2016, the decision had to come earlier since the King County Sheriff’s Office requires paying salary for nine months in advance of an officer being available for duty.
The council raised property taxes in 2015 to help fund the estimated $138,000 needed. Residents saw the city’s portion of their property taxes increase about $44 for a $500,000 home.
When it came time to find the new officer, Irvine advertised the opening to King County Sheriff’s Office deputies, who had the opportunity to apply and interview.
Irvine said she chose Leyba because of his background in traffic policing.
“We really liked Chris because he has a lot of experience with DUIs and is very skilled in the things we need regarding those concerns,” she said.
Leyba began his career with the Seattle Police Department. He stayed in Seattle for about seven years before transitioning to the King County Sheriff’s Office, Irvine said.
He joins Newcastle officers Jerry Gilley, William Brown, Anthony Taglieri, Steve Kajihiro, Scott McDonald and Scott Yamamoto.
The city, which contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office for police services, currently has a nine-member police department, including Irvine and Detective Christy Marsalisi.
In 2014, the city added a full-time detective to the force, but it’s the first time since 1999 that the department included another officer. The city’s population has grown by more than 3,000 since that time.