Ridgefield Police Chief Carrie Greene will be retiring from her post on May 6. Greene has served in law enforcement for nearly 35 years, serving more than nine years in Ridgefield.
“The past several years have been an interesting and ever-changing time for both the law enforcement profession and the city of Ridgefield,” said Greene. “I leave feeling confident that the members of the Ridgefield Police Department are more than capable to keep up with these changes and continue to provide outstanding professional services to the Ridgefield community.”
Greene leaves behind a Ridgefield Police Department much different than when she was hired. In 2007, Greene took over management of a department in turmoil within a community that needed and wanted a high quality police force. In nine years, she has produced just that and much more. She leaves a fully staffed professional police force in the fourth safest city in Washington and, according to a recent community survey, citizens who rank police services significantly higher than in other cities.
City Manager Steve Stuart credited Greene with launching programs that have helped Ridgefield become one of the safest cities in the state. Under Greene’s leadership, officer training has expanded, cruisers got new communication tools and the police department has reestablished a relationship with the community.
“The Chief’s dedication to Ridgefield - our residents, our officers, our community partners and leaders –shines through everything she does, whether it’s flipping burgers at the employee picnic, volunteering at the library, helping a citizen find a lost dog or taking command of a critical incident,” Stuart said.
Greene came to Ridgefield from the Washington State Patrol, where she worked for 25 years and had reached the rank of captain, assigned to be the head of the five County Southwest Washington region. She is a member of the International Association of Police Chiefs, Clark County Law Enforcement Council, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and other organizations. She volunteers her time with the Friends of Ridgefield Community Library, the Ridgefield Lion’s Club, her church and other faith-based organizations.
Greene and her husband plan to move to Montana where they will spend time exploring the state and relaxing with friends and family which includes their 13 grandchildren.
The city will host a retirement celebration for Greene later this spring.
