After serving as the Centralia Police Department’s interim chief for nearly nine months, Commander Andy Caldwell was officially promoted to police chief by Centralia City Manager Michael Thomas during the Tuesday, Feb. 11, Centralia City Council meeting.
“When I came to the city, I was told to figure out what to do with the police department,” Thomas said. “So, I have made the decision to get rid of our interim police chief and we now have an official police chief. I would like to welcome Chief Andy Caldwell as our new official police chief.”
“We are very excited to have you in the permanent chief role, and you have done a tremendous job earning the trust of the community in your time as interim,” Centralia Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston added.
Caldwell originally took over as the interim chief at the end of May 2024 following the retirement of former Centralia Police Chief Stacy Denham, which coincided with former Centralia City Manager Rob Hill’s retirement. Denham is now the city manager of Chehalis.
In Centralia, it is the city manager’s responsibility to interview and ultimately select the Centralia Police Department’s chief.
Centralia Deputy City Manager Amy Buckler took over as interim city manager after Hill’s retirement, but chose to leave selection of the new police chief to whoever the city council selected as the new city manager.
Thomas was officially hired as the new city manager in December 2024.
Following Caldwell’s promotion, his first act as Centralia police chief was to swear in the department’s newest officer — Drew Johnson.
Johnson hails from Tenino and originally started as a reserve officer in 2018. He became a full-time police officer with the Tenino Police Department in 2022.
“Drew was in the background with multiple (police) agencies when he chose Centralia. I think that’s a remarkable statement as to our department and people wanting to be here and serve here,” Caldwell said. “I’m very pleased that he chose us. Unfortunately, right now, lateral police officers are at a premium, and when you have an officer willing to lateral over, it’s remarkable savings for our community and a remarkable benefit for our agency.”
Having already graduated from Washington state’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy, Johnson is also a certified pistol instructor and certified patrol rifle instructor.
After being introduced to the city council, Johnson read the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s law enforcement code of ethics. Then, Caldwell swore him in. Johnson’s wife, Lydia, pinned on his badge.
Following the meeting, Caldwell explained the department is still preparing to hire more officers.
Currently, two cadets are at the state Basic Law Enforcement Academy and another is in field training. Caldwell will also be promoting a new commander within the department.
