City Council to consider Watson for Chief of Police

Libby Mayor Doug Roll has reportedly backed away from his appointment of Patrol Sergeant Terry Watson to replace the retiring Jim Smith as Libby Police Chief, pending review by the City Council’s personnel committee and approval from the council as a whole.

Roll announced the appointment of Watson in an email to members of the City Council, City Clerk Glena Hook, City Attorney Allan Payne and City Administrator Jim Hammons Tuesday morning.

“I have appointed Officer Watson to fill the Chief of Police position, as per our charter,” Roll wrote. “He is the current Chief’s second-in-command, and is the natural candidate to fill that position. He submitted a letter of interest and council was provided a copy. Not only is he a local individual, his service to this community, his dedication to the job and his honesty and integrity are above reproach.”

Libby’s city charter provides the mayor with the authority to make appointments, but only with the consent of a majority of the City Council.

“The mayor may: 1. Prepare the budget in consultation with the council and department heads; 2. Appoint one of more administrative assistants to assist him in the supervision and operation of the local government, and such administrative assistants shall be answerable solely to the mayor; 3. Appoint, with the consent of a majority of the council, all department heads and remove department heads and may appoint and remove all other department employees.”

The requirement for council approval is also stated in Montana law.

“7-4-4303. Powers of mayor related to municipal officers, personnel, and citizens. The mayor has power to: (1) nominate and, with the consent of the council, appoint all nonelective officers of the city or town provided for by the council, except as provided in this title.”

Councilwoman Dejon Raines said she expressed her concerns about the appointment to the mayor Tuesday afternoon, and he agreed to facilitate an interview of Watson by the personnel committee, on which Raines sits. Her objection, she said, was not with Watson, but with the way the mayor announced the appointment without consulting council.

Councilman Brent Teske also opposed the mayor’s move, although he supports Watson’s elevation to Chief of Police.

“My issue is not with Terry Watson,” Teske said. “I think he’ll make a fine Chief of Police for Libby. My issue is Doug circumventing the city charter and violating Montana law by making the appointment without council approval.”

Raines said she hopes to arrange the meeting between Watson and the personnel committee before the next regular meeting of the City Council, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 due to the Labor Day holiday. Smith’s retirement becomes effective at 5 p.m. Aug. 31.