A changing of the guard will happen at the Washington Police Department next month. After receiving 18 applications, interviewing six finalists, and extensive background work, the search committee is recommending Jim Lester to be the new police chief. Lester currently serves as a deputy sheriff and emergency management coordinator in Wright County. He has been in law enforcement for 30 years. The council will officially consider the hiring of Lester at tonight’s city council meeting. Current Police Chief Greg Goodman is retiring in May.