The Spokane Police Department Command Staff
Chief Frank G. Straub, Jr. PhD
Frank G. Straub, Jr. comes to Spokane with decades of experience in law enforcement, working in both regional and national public safety.
Straub was hired by the City of Spokane as Police Chief on October 1, 2012. He previously served as the Public Safety Director for the City of Indianapolis, where he led 3,200 sworn and civilian personnel assigned to the Department for Public Safety’s police, fire, homeland security, animal care and control, communications and EMS divisions.
Prior to that, Chief Straub was the Public Safety Commissioner in White Plains, New York. During his seven year tenure, the White Plains Department of Public Safety achieved a 40 percent decline of serious crime by employing community policing techniques and data-driven enforcement. Chief Straub directed 435 sworn and civilian personnel in the delivery of police, fire, and emergency medical services resulting in increased community safety during a period of revitalization, growth, and economic development in the City of White Plains.
Chief Straub also served as Deputy Commissioner of Training for the New York Police Department (NYPD). In this role Chief Straub led police recruit, in-service, promotional, and executive training programs for all uniform and civilian members of the NYPD. Under his leadership, a class of 1,600 police recruits graduated with extended training in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. During a critical time in homeland security, Chief Straub developed and implemented counterterrorism training programs for all sworn and civilian members of the NYPD. Chief Straub also expanded the Police Academy’s Civilian Advisory Board and increased the diversity of its members.
While working for the Federal Government, Chief Straub served as a special agent in the U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General, U.S. Naval Investigative Service, and U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security .
Education & Training
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Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the City University of New York
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Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice
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Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from St. John’s University.
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Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government
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Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Session on Policing and Public Safety
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Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police
Assistant Chief Craig Meidl
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Craig Meidl was hired as an officer with the Spokane Police Department in 1994. Since then he has been a member of the TAC and SWAT teams as well as a Motor Officer. Meidl was promoted to Detective for a short time before his promotion to Sergeant in 2001, at which time he supervised various units including Patrol, the School Resource Officer Program, and the Traffic Unit. In January 2007 Sgt. Meidl was promoted to Lieutenant and as a Patrol Lieutenant, Meidl commanded the K9 unit and assisted in bringing the previously discontinued Crisis Intervention Team back to the department. In January of 2009, Meidl was assigned to the Internal Affairs unit where he served for two years investigating police misconduct allegations and conducting department-wide audits of the Property Facility and Special Investigations Unit. In February 2011, Major Meidl was promoted to Major and has since overseen the Operations Support Bureau. The Operations Support Bureau consists of the Major Crimes unit, Property Crimes unit, Fraud unit, Special Investigations Unit, Gang Enforcement Team, Regional Drug Task Force, Targeted Crimes Unit, Special Victims Unit, Criminal Intelligence Unit, Domestic Violence unit, Training Unit, Records Division, Crime Analysis unit, Volunteer Services, Administrative Services, Extra Duty/Special Events and Abandoned Vehicle unit.
Education & Training
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B.A. in Law and Justice from Central Washington University
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FBI National Academy graduate, Session 235.
Honors/Awards
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Chief’s Citation for his work on the Vertical Staffing Committee
Commander Brad Arleth
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Brad Arleth has had a long tenure with the Spokane Police Department, having served in a variety of roles for more than 20 years. He has served as Field Training Officer, Police Officer First Class, Detective, and Sergeant just to name a few. As Sergeant, Arleth worked as a Patrol Supervisor and Assistant Training Director at the Spokane Police Regional Training Center. He also supervised the Sexual Assault Unit in the Investigations Division. While working at the Training Center, Arleth also served on the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Board (WSCJTC) on Law Enforcement Training Standards and Education and was a WSCJTC Certified Instructor. The primary function of the WSCJTC Board was to continually assess and assist with the development of law enforcement training standards in the state of Washington. In June 2000, Sgt. Arleth was selected as the Supervisory Bomb Technician for the Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU). In May 2007, Sgt. Arleth was promoted to Lieutenant, he served as a Patrol Shift Commander and then worked with the Major Crimes Unit, commanding the Homicide/Robbery Unit and Special Victims Unit. He was the Explosive Disposal Unit Commander from 2007 to 2012. Most recently, Lt. Arleth was promoted to Captain and is currently the Patrol Division Captain overseeing Patrol, Traffic, NRO, K9, PACT, EDU, SWAT, etc.
Education & Training
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B.A. in Government from Eastern Washington University
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M.S. in Justice Administration from University of Louisville
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Southern Police Institute Administrative Officer’s Course at University of Louisville
Honors/Awards
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Employee of the Quarter in 2001.
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Two Chief’s Citations awards for work with the Explosives Disposal Unit and the Patrol Anti-Crime Team.
Commander Joe Walker
Joe Walker was hired as an officer with the Spokane Police Department in 1988. He was assigned to the Patrol Division for 7 years and during this time he was a member of the SWAT Team. He also held positions as a Reserve Officer Mentor, Field Training Officer and taught Emergency Vehicle Operations for over 10 years. Walker was promoted to Detective in 1995 and investigated property crimes and assault cases. In 1999, Walker was promoted to Sergeant and he held this rank for 10 years. His assignments as a Sergeant included Patrol, K9 and Traffic. While assigned to the Traffic Unit he worked on numerous grants and community projects. In 2009, Walker was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to the Patrol Division. While holding the rank of Lieutenant he served as the team commander for several specialty teams, which included the K9 Unit, Traffic Unit, NRO’s, Patrol Anti Crime Team, and TAC Team. In 2012, he transferred to the Major Crimes Unit and served as commander of the units specializing in the investigations of robberies, homicides, sexual assaults and serious traffic collisions. Walker was promoted to the rank of Commander in 2013. He currently oversees the Strategic and Tactical Operations Bureau
Education & Training
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A.A.S. in Criminal Justice - Spokane Community College
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FBI LEEDA – Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives
Honors/Awards
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Employee of the year 2002
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Chief’s Citation for Traffic
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Chief’s Citation for PACT
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Chief’s Citation for Major Crimes
Captain Frank Scalise
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Frank Scalise joined the Spokane Police Department in 1993 working for the better part of 6 years in the graveyard Patrol Division. During that time, he was both a Reserve Mentor and a Field Training Officer. In 1999, Scalise was promoted to Corporal and continued to work graveyard patrol. In 2001, he was promoted to Detective and investigated property crimes and sexual assault. In November of 2002, Scalise was promoted to Sergeant and returned to graveyard patrol in this new role. In 2004, he was assigned to the Volunteer Services Unit, where he worked with the Senior Volunteers, Reserves, Co-ops, and Explorers before moving to the Investigative Division. In 2007 Sgt. Scalise was promoted to Lieutenant in the Patrol Division where he served as the K9 unit commander and the SWAT commander. Scalise was promoted to Captain in December 2009 commanding the Patrol Division. In January 2012, Scalise was again promoted, this time to Major and assigned to the Operations Bureau, where he currently serves.
Education & Training
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B.A. in History from Eastern Washington University
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Administrative Officer’s Course at the Southern Police Institute at University of Louisville
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M.S. in Justice Administration from University of Louisville
Honors/Awards
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Chief’s Citation in January of 2012 for Patrol Anti-Crime Team (PACT)
Captain Judi Carl
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Judi Carl was hired as an officer with the Spokane Police Department in 1980. As an officer she was a member of the Hostage Negotiation Team and the PAT Team. She also served as a Field Training Officer and as an instructor at the Police Academy. After being promoted to Sergeant she was selected to begin the D.A.R.E. program for the Department. Sgt. Carl was promoted to Lieutenant in 2001and worked as the Administrative Lieutenant in charge of several units including: Hostage, Community Service Officers, Neighborhood Resource Officers, K9, and Communications. During this time she oversaw the development and transition to the Combined Communications Center for Dispatch. Lt. Carl served as the Graveyard Shift Commander. In 2005, Lt. Carl, was made the Training Director, assigned to the Spokane Police Academy where she commanded the training unit of the Department. Lt. Carl was promoted to Captain in 2011 and currently oversees the Administrative Services Bureau which includes: Crime Analysis, Planning, Training, Records, Community and Volunteer Services, Extra Duty/Special Events, as well as other administrative responsibilities.
Education & Training
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B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Gonzaga University
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M.A. in Counseling from Gonzaga University
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School of Police Staff and Command, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety, Class 321
Honors & Awards
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Two Chief’s Citation awards for work on Hostage and Dispatch
Captain Dave Richards
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Dave Richards was hired by the Spokane Police Department in March 1985. Initially he served as a member of the TAC team as well as a Field Training Officer. Richards was promoted to Police Officer First Class in February 1990. A year later, he was promoted again, this time to Detective serving in the Fraud Unit. Five years later, Richards was promoted to sergeant and worked in Patrol, serving as an Explorer Advisor for the Explorer Post. Sgt. Richards was promoted to Lieutenant in March 1999 and served as the Patrol Division Shift Commander overseeing Patrol, Traffic Unit, School Resource Officers, Neighborhood Resource Officers, and Special Projects. He also served as the Internal Affairs Commander, the Explosives Disposal Unit Commander, Special Investigative Unit Commander, Spokane Violent Crimes Gang Enforcement Task Force Commander, Criminal Intelligence Unit Commander, and Dignitary Protection Unit. Lt. Richards was promoted to Captain in December 2011 and currently serves as the Investigative Division Commander.
Education & Training
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Bachelor of Business Administration from Gonzaga University.
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FBI National Academy graduate, Session #224.
Honors/Awards
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Chief’s Citation Award
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Inland Northwest Council BSA District Award of Merit for his work with the Explorers
Business Services Manager Carly Cortright
Carly Cortright started at the Spokane Police Department as a Crime Analyst in March 2003, where she analyzed burglary trends and assisted the intelligence units with their analysis needs. Cortright was promoted to Police Planner in October 2006. In this role, Cortright assisted in the development of the Neighborhood Policing Plan and the department’s Lean Six Sigma Continuous Improvement project. She was also responsible for the development and administration of the Accountability Information Management (AIM) program, the department’s predecessor to CompStat. Cortright served as the department’s Strategic Analyst starting in August 2011, working on such projects as the Focused Area Emphasis program, directed at reducing crime in chronic hot spots. In January 2013, Cortright began serving as the Business Services Manager for the Business Services Bureau of the Spokane Police Department, overseeing the operations of the regional Law Enforcement Records Unit, regional Property and Evidence Facility, Police Planning, Fleet, Personnel, and police Finance.
Education & Training
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B.A. in Psychology Gonzaga University
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M.A. in Public Administration Eastern Washington University
Honors/Awards
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Employee of the Year 2008 and Chief’s Citation award for work on GangNet project
*To speak with any of them will require an appointment. Call (509) 477-5980 Option 1, and then choose Police Administration (Option 9).
Compliments and criticism of SPD officers are always welcome. Please email by clicking on the Contact Us portion of this website or by mailing the Spokane Police Department, 1100 West Mallon,Spokane, WA 99260.
Vision of the Spokane Police Department
To become the "safest city of our size in America"
Mission of the Spokane Police Department
Working together to build a safe community
Values of the Spokane Police Department
SERVICE
SPD strives to provide efficient, effective, and courteous service
PRIDE
SPD is proud to service the community through honorable and professional policing
DEDICATION
SPD is dedicated to results through accountability and leadership
Crime Check (509) 456 - 2233
If you need to file a police report for a crime that is no longer in progress, please call Crime Check.
Volunteer Found Property and Evidence Pick-up Line Hotline - (509) 835-4507 (SPD Volunteers pick-up property if within City limits)
If you live outside City limits but within Spokane County - please call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.
To report on-line visit: www.crimecheck.org
If you need immediate police assistance, please call 9-1-1