Police Chief Gibson to retire after nearly six years in Redmond, 36-plus years overall

Published 5:10 pm Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Ron Gibson has spent 36-plus years in law enforcement and he’s ready to retire come April.

He’s been the Redmond Police Department (RPD) chief for nearly six years and spent more than 30 years with the City of Colorado Springs’ police department.

Gibson’s last day on the job will be April 7.

Since joining Redmond, Gibson has been instrumental in changing the culture of the RPD into an organization of community problem solvers who work in partnership with their residents, according to a city press release. He has also developed and mentored a leadership team that will support the RPD into the future.

In Colorado Springs, he oversaw the Patrol Operations Bureau as a deputy chief.

Gibson said being appointed as Redmond’s chief of police has been one of the highlights of his career.

“This has been a great experience, and I want to thank Mayor (John) Marchione for the opportunity to be a part of his leadership team. I am very proud of the men and women of the Redmond Police Department who serve our community each day. Both the civilian personnel and officers are some of the most professional public servants that I have had the privilege to work with in my 36-plus-year career,” Gibson said. He and his wife Esther are looking forward to the next chapter of their lives.

RPD Assistant Chief Kristi Wilson will be promoted to chief, pending City Council confirmation, and is slated to assume her duties in early April.

Wilson has served the City of Redmond for more than 23 years in numerous operations and administrative, managerial roles and has held increasingly responsible positions within RPD over her career that has spanned 28 years.

In 2012, then-commander Wilson earned a promotion to assistant chief after the city conducted a nation-wide search. Also, Wilson has served as a key contributor to several citywide budget, service and efficiency initiatives from Budgeting-by-Priorities (BP) to the current City Hall Customer Service Center efforts.

She began her law enforcement career at the Anacortes Police Department and transferred to the RPD as an officer in 1993. Wilson has a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Central Washington University, a masters in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University and is a 2012 graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy (FBINA).

“I thank Chief Gibson for his leadership and commitment to keeping Redmond a safe place to live and work. I wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement,” Marchione said. “Chief Gibson leaves the department in capable hands. Wilson’s broad law enforcement background and experience, coupled with her insights and knowledge of our community and our department, make her an ideal candidate for this critical public safety leadership position.”