Nasset offered Kalispell's top cop job

By KRISTI ALBERTSON

The Daily Inter Lake

An interview committee has nominated Roger Nasset as Kalispell's next chief of police.

"I'm just grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to working with the community and making the quality of life in Kalispell better," he said.

Nasset, currently the lieutenant in charge of detectives, was one of three finalists interviewed on Wednesday. Other candidates included Wade Rademacher and Scott Warnell, both city patrol sergeants.

All three supported a proactive, community-policing approach, much like the department uses now. They all prefer a hands-on management style with training opportunities for officers. Each has been a Montana Policeman of the Year, and all are involved in activities outside of work.

The interviews were mostly public, but the interview committee's recommendation to City Manager Jim Patrick was made during a discussion in a closed session because of personnel reasons. On Friday, Patrick accepted the committee's recommendation.

"All three are very qualified and have a lot to offer the city in the way of leadership and experience," he said. "All three also had a lot of community involvement.

"I think the committee just felt like Roger Nasset just had a little bit more experience and felt like with his positions of responsibility he's had in the past, he was the best candidate for the job."

Nasset has been a patrol officer, drug task force member, patrol sergeant, Special Response Team member and a detective. He also led the multi-agency investigation that led to the conviction of prominent businessman Dick Dasen on charges of prostitution and sexual abuse of children.

The Kalispell City Council will consider Patrick's recommendation on Sept. 5, he said. If the council confirms the selection, Nasset will succeed Frank Garner, who is retiring after 21 years on the Kalispell police force.

"I'm pretty fortunate to step into a department that's really high quality," Nasset said. "Frank has done an excellent job."

Nasset will have about a month to work with Garner, then he'll attend the FBI Academy at Quantico, Va., for 10 weeks.

Fewer than 1 percent of law enforcement officials have the opportunity to go to the academy, he said. He applied in 2001 and was selected this year.

"The classes I chose way back then were in administration and leadership," he said. "Hopefully that will give me the advantage when I get back."

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.