Poulsbo’s police chief resigns in wake of controversies

In the wake of more than one controversy, Poulsbo’s police chief has resigned, saying that he had become a distraction for the police department and the city.

Related: Poulsbo police chief responds to criticism over deputy DUI incident

Al Townsend came onto the Poulsbo police force in 2013 after serving as chief of the Port Orchard Police Department. The Kitsap Sun reports that Townsend resigned on Monday.

“These recent distractions, from the (Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office) DUI incident to the former Officer Branes incident have taken the focus away from the excellent work our police officers do every day. It’s time to get back on that track, and it seems much more easily accomplished with my departure.”

An incident involving a Kitsap County deputy who drove drunk from the Poulsbo city limits put the small Washington town in the media spotlight in late 2015. Around that same time, an investigation was launched into an unrelated incident after Townsend was found hugging a female officer in his office with the lights off. That incident involved Officer Danielle Branes, who he mentions in his resignation letter. But the city’s investigation into the matter found no fault or inappropriate behavior at play.

The Kitsap Sun also reports that Poulsbo Mayor Becky Erickson was about to place Townsend on paid administrative leave shortly before receiving his resignation letter. She did not comment on why he was being placed on leave, other than to say the city was going to look into “other information.” Erickson said that Townsend did not resign in lieu of termination.