Kalispell cop named Officer of the Year

The Daily Inter Lake

A Kalispell policeman was named Montana's Officer of the Year by the Montana Association of Chiefs of Police Friday night.

Doug Overman, 34, has worked for the Kalispell Police Department since 2000.

He was nominated by Police Chief Frank Garner who described Overman as "the type of officer all of us aspire to be."

Overman is a school resource officer at Kalispell Junior High School.

He worked as a probation officer with the Montana Department of Corrections and graduated from the University of Montana.

"My nomination for Doug is based on the fact that in his role as an SRO, Doug is changing young people's lives," Garner said in his nominating letter.

"I continually hear from parents, teachers and students about Officer Overman's commitment, concern, positive leadership and compassion. Doug is continually seeking out kids at risk and working to direct them to the resources they need to be successful.

Overman started the "Adventure Club" at the junior high. It provides alternative activities to teens who aren't attracted to traditional school events or activities. Mentors expose club members to back packing, mountain biking, kayaking, cross country skiing and other outdoor adventures.

They provide positive role modeling and the club provides positive support and structure to teaching teens healthy lifestyles.

Overman helped start the "Lone Pine Grind," a mountain biking competition that serves as a fundraiser for the club and also is a positive, competitive event.

He is also a counselor and mentor in the summer teen camp sponsored by C.A.R.E. and with the Students Taking a New Direction group.

Kalispell police have reportedly earned the state Officer of the Year award in five out of the last seven years.