Maybe it was just us. But it took the local press and Matt Haney some time to warm up to each other. Our introduction two years ago, facilitated by

then-police chief Bill Cooper, went something like this:

Cooper: “This is Doug. He’s with the newspaper.”

Haney: “I’m sorry to hear that.”

The inauspicious overture was followed some months later by a meeting that turned into a small row over the quality of the information (at that time, poor) that Haney’s staff was

providing for the Review’s Police Blotter. We didn’t really go out of our way to cross paths after that (although the blotter information soon showed significant improvement).

As we said, it was probably just us. In any event, when Cooper moved on to Microsoft, he hand-picked Haney – whom he invariably described as a skilled administrator who could be counted on to get things done – as his successor.

Since then, Bainbridge Police officers with whom we’ve spoken have expressed great confidence in their interim chief; this week, 26 uniformed officers and department staff (basically, everyone) petitioned Mayor Darlene Kordonowy to make Haney their boss for good. Officers cite his extensive background in law enforcement – supervisory, training,

special weapons and tactics, investigations – and effective

leadership since joining the island force. Department morale, they say, is soaring, and Haney’s expectations are clear.

Our favorite comment: “When his boot’s in your rear end, you know why.” As managerial traits go, that’s not a bad one.

Matt Haney wants to be the island’s police chief, and he’s

trying to move here. His officers want him to have the job, and community members are giving him high marks too. Yet six months since Cooper departed, there’s still no action from the city administration. What gives?

The record shows that Bill Cooper came to Bainbridge from Tumwater as interim chief in January 1988, and by mid-April had the job for keeps.

What drove the expedited process? Tumwater wanted Cooper back, and he wasn’t shy about sharing that fact. The Sutton administration promptly convened a citizen committee that evaluated Cooper on such criteria as personal and professional values; effectiveness as a leader and team member; respect from peers and subordinates; budgeting experience; and understanding of community-oriented policing. He passed with flying colors, and had a good five-year run as chief.

Unlike his predecessor, who could usually be found in the vicinity of a podium or microphone, Matt Haney isn’t much of a self-promoter. Yet he is hardly the unknown quantity that Cooper was, and Kordonowy needs to acknowledge that fact. Haney has served as a supervisor within the department since fall 2001, save for a stretch when he was on loan to King County to work on the Green River serial killer case.

Don’t take this as a de facto endorsement – although we have gotten to know Haney a lot better, and grown rather fond of him – but rather a plea for a fair process that doesn’t drag on into old age. Making allowance for our community

tendency to let no decision go un-anguished-over, this is one occasion when the mayor can and should act decisively.

Convene a citizen commission (why not the same one that grilled Cooper?) and put Haney to the test. If he passes, hire him; if not, move on. That simple.

Matt Haney has shown a lot of patience. Give him some credit, and give him a shot at the job – and soon.