Police chief search continues

The City of Libby will more-than-likely set a new deadline for chief of police applicants, as only one person has shown interest so far after a month of local and statewide advertising.

“I think we’ll probably re-open and put it out there again,” Mayor Doug Roll said, “see if we can beat the bushes a little more.”

The department is currently carrying on with just three officers – one recently hired – since former chief of police Clay Coker left to pursue a law degree and two other officers resigned.

Young, less experienced officer candidates usually apply in small towns like Libby, Roll said, but a potential chief of police is harder for the city to appeal to.

“It’s tough across the state to find law-enforcement people with experience,” Roll said “Usually the bigger cities attract that.”

Bill Cunnane, who is part of the hiring committee, said the lack of applicants could be attributed to what Libby can offer in salary.

“It’s just a matter of trying to find someone out this way interested at that pay scale,” Cunnane said. “It’s probably one of these things where an officer could make more in a larger city.”

The city will hire a chief and a patrol officer to bring the department up to a full staff of five, and hire an additional full-time officer with federal stimulus funds.

About four or five candidates will be interviewed Tuesday for the two patrol positions, Roll said.

The department received an additional stimulus grant for a part-time officer for one year, but will wait on that hire, Roll said. Though the city was awarded the grant, it hasn’t officially received the money.