75 Years of Vancouver police chiefs

(Does not include interim chiefs)

JAMES McELVAIN

December 2013 to present

Most recently from Riverside County, Calif., McElvain earned a doctoral degree and has university-level teaching experience in addition to 25 years of police experience as a patrol officer, supervisor and administrator.

CLIFF COOK

2007 to 2012

Was brought in to pass a levy to support the expansion of Vancouver’s police but was forced into cutbacks and layoffs as the economy worsened. The police guild passed a vote of no confidence against Cook, who departed in 2012 at age 57 after announcing that he and City Manager Eric Holmes reached a mutual agreement that “fresh leadership” was needed. Cook then took a job as chief of the Bellingham Police Department.

BRIAN MARTINEK

2002 to 2006

Quit over a requirement that he must live in Vancouver, then moved to Portland.

STAN REEVES

Acting and then permanent chief, 2000 to 2002

Resigned at age 52 for unspecified health reasons after it was revealed Reeves, who was married, allegedly prevented his girlfriend from being arrested for drunken driving.

DOUG MAAS

1996 to 2000

Quit to become president of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce at age 50.

ROD FREDERIKSEN

1991 to 1996

Resigned at age 49 after spending five months on depression-related disability leave and writing a blistering letter criticizing the city council, a former city manager, a county commissioner, the police officers’ union and The Columbian.

BOB KING

Acting and then temporary chief, 1989 to 1991

After being passed over to replace Davis, King retired at age 52 and took a job as chief at the Gladstone, Ore., Police Department.

LELAND DAVIS

1979 to 1989

Protected by Civil Service status, Davis was bought out of his job by the city for $485,000 one week short of his 55th birthday following controversy involving his verbal treatment of women and employees. System subsequently changed so police chief serves at pleasure of city manager.

PETER CARLSEN

1974 to 1979

Died of heart attack at age 40.

CAL DAVIS

1969 to 1974

Controversial and outspoken throughout his tenure, Davis retired amid constant departmental turmoil and public criticism, at age 56.

EUGENE WHITE

1966 to 1969

Retired at 51. In January 1971 he was hired as Clark County deputy coroner.

ED MAYO

1962 to 1966

Retired at age 54 to become executive director of a center for alcoholism referral in Vancouver.

HARRY DIAMOND

1945 to 1962

Retired at age 53 to become deputy U.S. marshal for Western Washington.

JOHN BLAKER

1937 to 1945

Retired at age 51 due to ill health.