The Seattle Police Department’s former interim chief Jim Pugel will take over as second-in-command to King County Sheriff John Urquhart, the sheriff announced Monday.
Pugel was handpicked by Urquhart, who said he only spoke to Pugel about the job.
Pugel’s hire follows his abrupt retirement from the police department earlier this year. Appointed as the department’s interim chief in April 2013, Pugel, a 32-year veteran of the force, had intended to seek the permanent position. But when Seattle Mayor Ed Murray took office, Pugel was replaced. He announced his retirement a few months later.
Though he’ll likely work closely with the Seattle police in his new role as chief deputy sheriff, Pugel told reporters he has no hard feelings.
“I have a tremendous respect for the men and women – the sworn and the civilian – that work in that department, as well as the command staff. What happened there is past, and I’m just glad to be back in the mix,” Pugel said.
Pugel will start his new position on Sept. 1, will earn an annual salary of approximately $173,000.
