Libby welcomes new police officer; looks to extend memorandum

The chief of police swore in the newest member of the City of Libby's police force on July 5, at the Libby City Council meeting.

Caleb Thomas is now an officer for the city police force. Thomas, a local from Libby who previously worked for FedEx, has been a reserve deputy for several years, Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack said.

Thomas passed several tests, along with the medical and psychological evaluations, Ercanbrack said.

"Then he was able to start field training, which is the same process that any new applicant would go through," Ercanbrack said. "He's just got the added benefit of having some experience, so he's been a lot more successful on his road so far, from the reports from the sheriff's office, who's conducting his field training."

At this time, he is the only successful applicant who has passed the tests, Ercanbrack said.

"Officer Thomas is eager and excited, he's got a lot of motivation for this profession. We expect great things from him, he's got great potential and he'll do a great job serving the citizens of Libby," Ercanbrack said.

Field training lasts about four months, but to properly prepare an officer, this training period can be extended, Ercanbrack said.

"Officer Thomas will be attending the police academy prior to finishing his field training. When he graduates the academy, he will return to field training for about a month or so," Ecranbrack said.

The Montana Law Enforcement Academy is located in Helena. Typical training there lasts 12 weeks.

Once officers have completed field training and the academy, they will be ready to serve the public with a high level of professionalism and competence, Ecranbrack said.

After the resignation of several officers, including the former chief of police, in late 2022 and early 2023, the City of Libby has been working to restaff the police force. In the meantime, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has been helping to police the city.

A memorandum of agreement between the city and the county pays county officers an extra $4 an hour to fully cover the city. There are several open positions, City Administrator Samuel Sikes said.

"Sheriff (Darren) Short and his deputies have been extremely supportive and helpful during this time. We are grateful for their ongoing support in helping the Libby Police Department get back on their feet," Ercanbrack said.

The city council was going to re-sign the memorandum of agreement. Still, council member Hugh Taylor noted that the agreement's language did not agree with the city's present conditions, Sikes said.

The city met with the undersheriff to update the memorandum of agreement to acknowledge that the city has a new police chief and two officers, and the memorandum will be extended for one year, Sikes said. The city council is expected to approve the new agreement at the next meeting on July 17.