Three Libby police officers resign; Chief Kessel put on paid leave

Three Libby City Police officers quit the force on Monday, Nov. 21, and Chief Scott Kessel has been placed on paid administrative leave.

The startling news was not announced by city officials until after a social media post revealed the information in the last few days.

At the Monday, Dec. 5 city council meeting, city attorney Dean Chisholm said three officers resigned “a week or so ago and the city has begun an inquiry into it.”

The trio included Sgt. Chris Pape and officers Ian Smith and Cody DeWitt.

Chisholm also said Montana law prohibits Mayor Peggy Williams and city council members from commenting on the matter.

Chisholm provided a bit more information in an email to The Western News on Wednesday evening.

"The City is prohibited from releasing confidential information related to personnel issues, however, the City can provide the following information," Chisholm wrote. "Although no grievance or other claim was filed, city management initiated an inquiry into employment practices at the police department. Libby Police Chief Scott Kessel has been placed on paid administrative leave pending completion of the inquiry.

"The City of Libby prioritizes the security of Libby’s citizens and businesses. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has agreed to provide additional law enforcement coverage within city limits for the immediate future. The city is seeking qualified applicants to fill vacancies in the Libby Police Department, and to secure the long-term protection of its citizens," Chisholm wrote.

City Administrator Sam Sikes confirmed that the three officers gave their resignations on Nov. 21.

Williams said at Monday's meeting that the city was working with the county to cover all law enforcement shifts.

On Wednesday, Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short confirmed the city had made an agreement with the county to cover shifts left vacant by the officer's resignations.

"We're not going to leave anything hanging," Short said.

On Tuesday afternoon, Williams said the city is looking at rebuilding the police department.

“The positions are being advertised,” Williams said in a brief phone interview with The Western News.

When asked where the positions were being advertised, she refused to disclose the information.

Williams was also asked if the city was evaluating Police Chief Scott Kessel. Her reply was, “What has been said is all that can be said.”

Kessel, who frequently attends regular city council meetings to give a report on calls his officers have responded to as well as other matters of importance, was not present at Monday’s meeting.

Kessel did not reply to multiple phone messages left for him at the city police department. He did offer a brief reply on Wednesday to an email from The Western News seeking information.

"All comments on this issue need to come from the mayor," Kessel wrote in the email.

Sikes said that county officers who cover shifts for the city are paid time-and-a-half and double time-and-a-half for work done on holidays and emergencies.

"The county will submit invoices to the city for their officers covering our shifts," Sikes said.

The departure of the officers first came to light on Dec. 3 on the LIBBY/TROY Community Connection Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/786957854792214/).

Darrel “DC” Orr, a former city council member, posted the following statement on the page: “How is everyone getting through the holidays without City Police protection? Since three Officers left the department under cover of secrecy some undisclosed time ago, the department has been dysfunctional. How has this affected you? I see nothing on the agenda about it.”

The post generated 222 comments as of Wednesday. Some asked how many officers were employed by the department while others wondered why Kessel hadn’t made a public statement. Some questioned why the officers resigned.

Efforts to reach Pape and Smith on social media were unsuccessful.

A check with the Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training (POST) Bureau indicated there were no allegations or investigations regarding any of the officers who resigned, Kessel or current officers Joshua Brabo and Ronald Buckner.

At Monday’s meeting, Orr spoke on what he says is a lack of transparency with city officials.

“My comments are usually about transparency and when we lose half of our police force 10 days or more ago and nothing is announced, it seems there is a lack of transparency,” Orr said.