06/10/2025 - Rich Allen to Retire as Chief of the City of Olympia Police Department

Olympia Police Chief Rich Allen has announced his retirement from the Olympia Police Department (OPD) effective June 16, 2025. Allen has led OPD as the chief since October 2021.

"I've been a part of the Olympia Police Department for a long time," said Allen. "I've been fortunate and was given opportunities to progress through the ranks and to serve in various capacities. OPD is filled with dedicated public safety professionals, and it has been an honor to lead them. I am very proud of our department and the work that the men and women of OPD do every day. Being a cop is the best job ever invented, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve in the community I grew up in."

Allen has served the public for more than 40 years, with 34 of those as a Police Officer. His first experience in the field came as a 15-year-old volunteer with the Olympia Police Department's Police Explorers Program. His professional experience in law enforcement includes serving as a patrol officer, training officer, motorcycle officer and detective. He has been promoted to the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and served as Deputy Chief from December 2019 through September 2021. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and has earned an Executive Level Certification from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Allen led the department through the State's police reform legislation and the city's Reimagining Public Safety initiative. He developed OPD's new five-year strategic plan, worked with the City Council-appointed police auditor, and navigated challenging budget cycles.

"Rich stepped into the Chief's role at a time when I and our community needed him and his leadership," said City Manager Jay Burney. "Rich is a confident, innovative leader who defaults to transparency and openness. He is exactly what we needed, and I am grateful to have worked alongside him the past five years."

With Allen's retirement, a new interim chief will be selected, and the City will likely start the search for a permanent police chief at the beginning of next year. The City is committed to a broad, inclusive and transparent process.

The Olympia Police Chief is responsible for a staff of 127 employees and an annual operating budget of $31 million and oversees 88 commissioned personnel and 39 professional staff.