POULSBO — Poulsbo has a new deputy police chief.

Sgt. John Halsted, a 20-year law enforcement veteran, was promoted to deputy chief by Police Chief Alan Townsend, Feb. 10. The appointment will take effect on Feb. 16. Townsend said there’s a “99.9 percent chance” Halsted’s replacement as sergeant will be promoted from within the ranks, followed by the hiring of a new officer.

Halsted, 44, succeeds Bob Wright, who announced his retirement on Jan. 23. Wright had been on paid administrative leave since Dec. 6 as Washington State Patrol investigates an allegation made against him by his estranged wife, who is an officer with another department. Townsend said Feb. 10 that he didn’t know the status of the investigation.

As deputy chief, Halsted will be paid $102,003 a year; as sergeant, he earned “close to $95,000 or $97,000 last year,” Townsend said. “He’s leaving a protected civil service job for a job that is ‘at will.’”

The Poulsbo Police Department has 19 personnel: the chief, deputy chief, three sergeants, one detective, 10 officers, and three clerks.

According to Townsend, Halsted has been with Poulsbo PD for 18 years. Prior to that, he spent two years with the McCleary Police Department.

Prior to becoming a sworn officer, Halsted served as a Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department corrections officer for three years, and also served as a reserve cadet and reserve police officer.

He was American Legion Officer of the Year in 1998, was honored for his DUI arrest record by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and is credited with saving two lives — he administered CPR to a marathoner who collapsed during a race, and he saved a person who jumped from the Warren Avenue Bridge.

During his tenure at Poulsbo, he’s served as a K9 handler, a school resource officer, and an officer with the countywide SWAT team and the regional WestNET Drug Task Force.

Halsted is also finishing a bachelor’s degree at Northwest University in Kirkland.

“He’s a top-grade guy,” Townsend said. “He’s well-respected around the county. He’s been a soccer club coach. He’s just a well-rounded guy.”

Townsend said Halsted represents “the future” of the department.

“He brings out the best in ethics and professional wisdom. He’s a classy guy with a great sense of humor, and he will always do the right thing — whatever is legal, ethical, moral and professional. He’ll be here for many years to come.”