Chief Kevin Dresker notified Mayor Bob Severns of his intention to retire effective November 30, 2023.
The Oak Harbor Police Chief is retiring after a 35-year career in law enforcement, where he served for 28 years at the City of Wenatchee Police Department. While in the City of Wenatchee, he started as a reserve officer and rose through the ranks to Captain. After leaving the City of Wenatchee Police Department, he worked for a few years in the private sector, developing security plans for hospitals and clinics.
Mayor Bob Severns said, “We are fortunate to have a Police Chief like Kevin Dresker here in Oak Harbor. I will miss serving the community together. I wish him all the best in his retirement.”
In Chief Dresker’s resignation letter that the Mayor shared with City Council, he stated,
“It has been an honor working with the men and women of the Oak Harbor Police Department over the past seven years…the people who have served during my time here at the Oak Harbor Police Department have been and are, courageous, dedicated, ethical and professional men and women. Their dedication to the department’s mission: “Dedicated to community safety and service,” and the noble profession of Law Enforcement, defines their daily work ethic.”
The City wants to thank Chief Dresker for his service to the community and the partnerships he has developed.
Mayor Severns has appointed Captain Tony Slowik as the Interim Police Chief. Mr. Slowik has a 20-year law enforcement career, served as the Interim Director of ICOM, has a 27-year service record with the United States Coast Guard, and recently graduated from the FBI National Academy, recognized as the premier program for law enforcement leaders.
The new Mayor will determine the process for selecting a new Police Chief.
Learn more about the Police Department.