REARDAN - Mikeal Suniga, a former sergeant for the Airway Heights Police Department, was hired as the town's new chief of police effective March 6.

He replaced Andy Manke, who resigned and accepted a job with the Spokane Tribal Police.

"Chief Manke developed a great organization here," Suniga said. "I will not make any major changes. I want to build on what he did and further develop the relationships he established."

Suniga started his career in law enforcement as a reserve officer in Medical Lake in 2002. Three years later, he was promoted to a full-time position.

In 2007 he accepted a...