New Indio police chief Brian Tully sworn in
The city of Indio swore in a new police chief Tuesday.
Former assistant chief, Brian Tully, had his wife pin his new badge on in a standing-room only ceremony at the city’s council chambers.
“This is amazing to see the kind of support I have here today,” Tully said to the crowd celebrating his promotion before asking city staffers to stand momentarily. “Without these people standing in front of you, I couldn’t be standing in front of you.”
Tully’s promotion was announced Monday, as was the abrupt departure of former chief Mike Washburn, who was not at Wednesday’s ceremony. Tully has worked for the department since 2018, holds a degree in business administration and graduated from both the FBI National Academy and West Point Leadership Program. He worked for the San Bernardino Police Department before getting his first job in Indio.
Tully expressed his gratitude for former colleagues who had traveled to the ceremony to support him, including colleagues from his tenure in San Bernardino. His now-peer chiefs from Cathedral City, Palm Springs and Riverside were also present and expressed their support.
“We are very, very blessed,” said City Manager Bryan Montgomery. “It was an easy decision. We knew he was ready, willing and able.”
Councilmember Waymond Fermon told the crowd: “If you look in the dictionary for the word integrity and honor, (Tully’s) picture should be by it.”
Tully beamed as he took pictures with his wife, two of his three children who were present, and extended family.
“I’m excited to get moving with my Indio family,” he said during a brief interview after the ceremony. “We’re ready.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Peter Fuentes, president of the Indio Peace Officer’s Association, one of two unions that in 2021 issued a “no confidence” vote of then-chief Washburn.
“We’re excited to move forward and we support Chief Tully,” Fuentes said after the ceremony Wednesday.
Christopher Damien covers public safety and the criminal justice system. He can be reached at christopher.damien@desertsun.com or follow him at @chris_a_damien.