Woodland police chief to resign post

After only a year as Woodland’s police chief, Phil Crochet will resign at the end of this year, Mayor Will Finn confirmed Wednesday afternoon.

Finn said Crochet told him of the decision Sept. 22, though Crochet hasn’t submitted his formal resignation. Finn said Crochet didn’t give him a reason.

“Since then it’s been something he hasn’t talked about,” Finn said by phone Wednesday. “It is unfortunate. When we do look for a new chief, we’ll try to find one that fits the city of Woodland.”

Crochet could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.

Crochet arrived in Woodland after being a commander in the Austin Police Department in Texas and has faced many challenges in his short tenure. His department is understaffed and has faced lawsuits.

In March 2015, Crochet fired Detective David Plaza. A month later, Plaza sued the department for wrongful termination. Plaza had already sued the department for $2 million after alleging wrongdoing by former interim Chief Brad Gillaspie.

And last week, a former Oregon policewoman filed a $500,000 lawsuit against Gillaspie and another Woodland officer, Brent Murray, alleging that the department wrongfully investigated her and violated her civil rights.

Finn said he is meeting with City Administrator Pete Boyce to come up with a hiring plan.