Kalispell postpones search for top cop

After a months-long search for a new chief of police, the city of Kalispell has decided it needs to keep looking.

City Manager Doug Russell on Friday said the city would resume its hunt for a new chief sometime this fall.

“While the position was initially opened and applications were solicited, it was determined that it would be a better approach to slow the process to provide time for the full identification of qualities and characteristics desired in the next chief of police,” Russell said in a statement.

The job came open five months ago when Roger Nasset stepped down at the end of December after 24 years with the department. Administrative Captain Wade Rademacher is currently serving as interim chief.

In a phone interview with the Inter Lake, Russell said in the time since Nasset stepped down, he has been able to watch how the department responded to certain situations, including preparing the budget and cleanup at the shooting range.

“Watching how the department has worked since then has better refined what we are looking for in a chief,” Russell said. “It’s really been a luxury to have the leadership we have with our three captains to run the department while we work to find the best match for the job.”

Russell said none of the candidates who submitted applications for the job were interviewed.

“This is an important position for the Kalispell community and is worth taking the additional time to identify the full scope of qualities and abilities to facilitate long-term success.

“The Kalispell Police Department continues to effectively operate in service to the community under the direction and leadership of its current administration and that the city looks forward to restarting the process later this fall,” Russell said.

Russell said a date for accepting new applications hasn’t been established yet, but that it would begin sometime this fall.

The salary range for the non-union position is pegged at $83,926 to $107,432 per year.

The minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a related field and seven years experience in law enforcement, five of which should be at the sergeant level or higher.