Year in Review 2017: Blaine Police Department

By Michael Knapp, interim chief of police

This year, the police department saw changes in personnel with the retirement of two veteran officers, police chief Mike Haslip and Sgt. Wayne White and the addition of a new officer, Jason Hentz.

2017 also marked the beginning of change in some of the police station’s physical features, including the construction of a security fence in the rear parking area commencing in early 2018 and alterations to some of the station’s interior features currently underway. The department has also changed its organizational makeup with the promotion of Ryan King to lieutenant and the upcoming appointment of two new sergeants.

One of the most critical changes to be seen in 2018, thanks to the city council’s approval this year, is the transfer of police dispatch responsibilities from border patrol to What-Comm, the county-wide emergency dispatch system and Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for 911 calls in Whatcom County. This move will not only improve the department’s response to 911 calls from citizens in Blaine, but will also provide great safety for officers who patrol our streets 24 hours a day.

As always, the men and women of the Blaine Police Department wish to express their appreciation and gratitude for the unwavering support they receive year around from the citizens of this wonderful community.