Swinomish Police Chief D’Amelio resigns after nearly four years on job

Lou D’Amelio is considered a rock star in law enforcement circles given his long career in police work and as a college-level criminal justice instructor.

Now D’Amelio is ready to exit the stage, after nearly four years serving as police chief of the Swinomish Tribal Community.

D’Amelio stepped down last week as the tribe’s top cop to pursue other career options, perhaps outside of law enforcement.

D’Amelio hired on at Swinomish in November 2016, arriving during a particularly tense period within the tribal police force, after having served 25 years with the Anacortes police department.

His primary immediate task was to provide stability and trust within a department that had been led by three police chiefs within a span of about two years.

One resigned amid allegations of stealing funds from the tribe. Another was let go shortly after taking the helm.

In between, former Swinomish Police Chief Rick Balam had come out of retirement to serve briefly on an interim basis.

When D’Amelio started, he moved quickly to shed light on public programs initiated to reflect a department emphasis on proactive community policing and youth development.

Soon after taking over at Swinomish, D’Amelio gathered tribal officers and staff to treat local youth to ice cream and root beer floats. Prior to this year’s COVID-19 pandemic, D’Amelio and Swinomish Police hosted a summer youth camp at John K. Bob Ball Park.

The camp featured an obstacle course, boating to Hope Island, a visit to Naval Air Station-Whidbey Island and tours of a King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter.

D’Amelio told the Weekly News in 2019 that the camp was designed to blend lessons related to health and physical fitness, water safety, knowledge of tides, and currents, and the roles of first responders and peace officers.

“The tribe is always interested in explaining career opportunities for young people,” he said at the time. “The camp is a first-hand opportunity for the kids to see what we do.”

During D’Amelio’s tenure, Swinomish Police upgraded its harbor and marine unit and Lt. Earl Cowan developed the department’s unmanned aerial presence, employing drones and infrared technology capable of pursuing fleeing suspects and locating potential sources of wildland fires.

“It’s been a good run for three-and-a-half years,” D’Amelio told the Skagit Valley Herald last week.

He also said he plans to continue teaching at Skagit Valley College.