New Police Chief on duty at Swinomish

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community has brought in a veteran law enforcement officer with local ties to the Swinomish Police Department.

Lou D’Amelio started on Tuesday, filling the role left open when former chief Andrew Thorne and three other officers left suddenly during a “reorganization” three months ago.

Last Friday D’Amelio retired from his job as Administrative Captain for the Anacortes Police Department, where he had worked for 25 years.

Since he has taught police science and administration of justice classes at Skagit Valley College, he is well known to law enforcement officers throughout the valley, including some presently serving at Swinomish.

He’s already on a first name basis with many of his new co-workers, some of whom are former students.

“That’s a real plus,” he said. “On the first day of the job, I’ll already know several of the people I’ll be working with.”

Allan Olson, General Manager for the Swinomish Tribe said, “We’re really fortunate that he applied and accepted the position. We think he is a perfect fit for the Swinomish Tribe, particularly because of the emphasis he will bring on community policing within the Swinomish Police Department.”

D’Amelio said getting the phone call asking if he’d accept the new position was very humbling.

“I’m super excited. I have a lot to learn,” D’Amelio said. He will focus on adjusting to a new town, he said, listening to others and transparency—plus figuring out what the community expects of their police department.

“My goal is to learn, he said. “Learn and listen to the community.”

Learning the cultural and tribal components of this new job is something he’s really looking forward to also, he said.

D’Amelio was first hired as a patrol officer by the Anacortes Police department on Nov. 1, 1991 – 25 years to the day he took his new post at Swinomish.

“That, to me is a good sign,” he said.

He said he hopes to still teach one class per quarter at the college, but his new job is his top priority.

In the past he has also coached youth in several sports, including football and basketball—learning leadership skills that he says have helped him in policing. He considers himself a “team approach guy.”D’Amelio earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach and graduated the Northwest Law Enforcement Command College.

According to his Anacortes Police Department biography, he has worked as a bike patrol instructor, firearms instructor, FBI trained hostage negotiator and as a school resource DARE Officer.

“I think Swinomish is getting a great new chief,” said Anacortes Police Chief Bonnie Bowers. “He’s very articulate and bright and very well-known in the law enforcement community as an officer and instructor.”

Bowers, who many years ago was in charge of La Conner’s Sheriff’s detachment, said she will be retiring in April. She said D’Amelio’s new position is fulfilling for her, as well. “Every chief hopes they can grow a new chief out of their department,” she said.

“I’m excited for him,” she said. “It’s a new challenge for him and a new opportunity.” And to top it off, “we’re neighbors,” she said, since he’ll be heading the police department immediately adjacent to Anacortes.