Troy PD sees more changes

Staffing at the three-officer Troy Police Department has shuffled since the chief and an officer inadvertently broadcast a controversial conversation over a public frequency in November. The exchange, which was recorded by dispatch, launched a state investigation and the chief shortly thereafter resigned.

Kit Pearson, the other officer involved, turned in his letter of resignation on Monday, the same day that new mayor Don Banning officially promoted officer Bob McLeod to chief. Pearson has been on the force about four years, and his resignation will go into effect Jan. 18.

McLeod hired a new officer, Nick Whiteman, on Tuesday and they began training Wednesday.

Whiteman was a reserve officer for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for two years and has been a fire prevention officer for the Libby Volunteer Fire Department for 4 1/2 years.

“Nick’s been through the reserve program and trained both on the patrol side and the administrative side of law enforcement,” McLeod said. “For the City of Troy he is working on an FT (field training) program and will be trained personally with me to make sure he is up to speed.”

Whiteman said he looks forward to moving to Troy with his fiancé.

“I like small towns and this is smaller than Libby,” he said.

The investigation concerning Pearson and ex-police chief Mitch Walters has been completed by the Justice Department’s Division of Criminal Investigation and is currently under review by the county attorney.