The city of Pasco has announced that a 36-year veteran of its police department will be the next to lead the agency.  

Brent Cook, currently Pasco Police Department’s interim police chief, was selected from five candidates after a nationwide search for a new chief. Cook has served in the Pasco Police Department since 1988, when he started out as a volunteer reserve officer. In 1990, he was hired full time, and he has advanced through every rank of the police department since then.  

From 2019 to 2026, Cook served as deputy chief, providing executive oversight of the department, leading strategic planning and organizational initiatives, managing the biennial budget and directing accreditation processes.  

He also was the only officer in department history to be named Officer of the Year twice.  

Cook will be sworn in during Pasco’s July 27 city council meeting.