The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community has brought in a veteran law enforcement officer with local ties to the Swinomish Police Department.

Lou D’Amelio started on Tuesday, filling the role left open when former chief Andrew Thorne and three other officers left suddenly during a “reorganization” three months ago.

Last Friday D’Amelio retired from his job as Administrative Captain for the Anacortes Police Department, where he had worked for 25 years.

Since he has taught police science and administration of justice classes at Skagit Valley College, he is well known to law enforcement officers thr...