C.F. police chief fired after inmate escapes

Longtime Columbia Falls Police Chief Dave Perry has been fired.

Contacted by phone Friday afternoon, Perry, 55, confirmed he had been terminated effective July 1.

He said his firing was related to an inmate who escaped from the Columbia Falls Police Department in May. Perry said on advice of his attorney, he could not comment further, but he planned to appeal the decision.

Perry has been with the police department for 25 years with the last 20 as chief.

“A thorough investigation was conducted,” Columbia Falls City Manager Susan Nicosia said Friday. “And a decision was made by the city to terminate Dave’s employment.”

Nicosia said it was a personnel matter and she couldn’t comment further.

The escape brought plenty of criticism from community members.

On May 12, Christopher Calf Looking, 36, of East Glacier managed to escape from the Columbia Falls Police Department after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.

Calf Looking was arrested at about noon at a Wildcat Drive residence. Around 2:40 p.m., he managed to walk out of the department, without shoes or socks, and a manhunt ensued. How Calf Looking escaped wasn’t clear.

The Two Bear Air Rescue helicopter along with Columbia Falls Police, Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Border Patrol and Montana Highway Patrol chased the man for more than an hour before he was apprehended near the Flathead River.

At the time, Perry said it wasn’t necessary to notify schools or residents of the escape, but several people on social media disagreed.

Perry claimed the crew on the Two Bear Air helicopter could see Calf Looking near the river, but officers on the ground couldn’t. Perry said schools didn’t need to be told because police knew where Calf Looking was.

Perry said he had considered retirement at the end of last year, but decided to remain with the city.