Two years of making strides

Chief McLeod: ‘We just want to keep on serving’

Saturday marked the second anniversary for the new Troy Police Department (TPD), which includes Police Chief Robert McLeod, officers Frank Colin Barnett and Nathan White.

The new department was no small task for McLeod, Barnett and White - there was a lot of work in implementing the new system into the community.

"We feel through our hard work and dedication, we have earned the trust and support of the community," White said.

White, originally from Austin, Texas, has worked with the TPD since February 2010. White is a former Army Green Beret; worked as a paramedic for seven years, and retired as captain of the Austin, Texas, Fire Department (AFD) after more than 15 years of service. For many years, White was a member of the AFD Dive Rescue and Swift-water Rescue Team. He is also a licensed pilot and licensed sky diver.

White, and his wife Tori of 16-years, have four-adult children and two grandchildren. The White's are the new park hosts at Roosevelt Park in Troy.

The TPD believes the key factors in gaining the support of the community is by treating citizens with respect - even when they are citing or arresting some of them.

"On several occasions, we have had people that were arrested a day or two earlier come up to us and apologize - sometimes we have to arrest even close friends," White said. "It is part of being an officer in a small town."

Living in Seattle for more than 30 years, McLeod is considered by many to be the closest thing to the character Sheriff Andy Taylor from Mayberry on "The Andy Griffith Show."

McLeod has been serving the Troy community since 2000.

In Seattle, McLeod managed two car-wash companies called Car-Wash Enterprises for eight years. He attended various schools to learn welding and hydraulics and attended Dale Carnegie management courses in sales and customer relations to improve the service of the business.

Before moving to Montana, McLeod was promoted to a tech position where he built and maintained 32 automatic and self-service car wash locations.

McLeod and his wife have two daughters and one granddaughter. The McLeods are also licensed by the state as a Foster-Care Home.

"I am proud to represent the City of Troy Police Department, and the services we offer the citizens of Troy," McLeod said.

The new department has shown significant accomplishments in its two years. Burglaries went from 15 in 2009 to five in 2011; theft dropped from 82 incidents to 67; criminal mischief, dropped from 60 to 43; criminal trespasses dropped from 15 to six, and threats/intimidations went from 31 to 18.

Citations issued in 2009 were 145, compared to 2011 when 225 were issued. Arrests have increased from 47 to 65. The TPD considers these to be notable differenced because the community consists of less than 1,000 people.

Joining the TPD the same year as White, Officer Barnett is originally from Oklahoma City. He spent most of his adult years in business management. He moved to northwestern Montana 14-years-ago to live in the mountains. With his passion for the outdoors, he enjoys hiking, hunting, boating and fishing.

"I believe the reason for less crime in Troy can be attributed to our high visibility and active patrols," Barnett said. "Although ... when you come out for a shift, you never know what you're going to get."

Barnett's daughter serves in the U.S. Navy and his son is an award-winning computer guru. He is extremely proud of both his children.

The TPD wants the citizens to know they can feel free to come to them when they need something or have questions. They want the citizens to know the officers are everyday people, and are part of the community.

Another big challenge for the department is earning the trust and respect of other local law enforcement agencies. However, the officers are optimistic and know it will just take time.

"I want to thank the great citizens of Troy who have stood by us and helped make the department what it is today," White said.

"We just want the citizens to know that we will continue to strive to be the type of Police Department that the citizens want, deserve and expect."