Interim chief has spent career with Spokane Police Department

Scott Stephens grew up in Spokane and graduated from Gonzaga Preparatory School in 1979. He attended Eastern Washington University but never earned a degree. He was recently accepted to the University of Oklahoma and plans to earn his degree online.

Stephens has been in law enforcement for 26 years, all of which have been spent with the Spokane Police Department. He started as an officer, was promoted to 1st Class patrolman, then spent six years as a sergeant before he was promoted to lieutenant. He was a lieutenant for 12 years, which included time overseeing the major crimes unit. He served as major for two years and was appointed acting assistant police chief in October when former Assistant Chief Jim Nicks took medical leave. He has experience as commander of investigations and in administration and patrol bureaus.

He was publicly named interim chief for New Year’s Eve weekend last week. He said Mayor David Condon told him last week he’d be interim until a permanent chief was selected, but he agreed not to say anything until Tuesday’s press conference.

Stephens lives about three miles southwest of the city of Spokane. He is divorced with no children. His sister-in-law is Washington Supreme Court Justice Debra Stephens.

Meghann M. Cuniff