Inquiry launched into Libby Police Department after mass resignations

Three Libby Police officers quit the force Nov. 21, and Chief Scott Kessel has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an inquiry into the resignations.

The startling news went unremarked upon by city officials until after a social media post revealed the information in recent days.

At a Dec. 5 city council meeting, City Attorney Dean Chisholm said three officers resigned “a week or so ago and the city has begun an inquiry into it.”

The trio included Sgt. Chris Pape and officers Ian Smith and Cody DeWitt.

Chisholm also said Montana law prohibits Mayor Peggy Williams and city councilors from commenting on the matter.

Chisholm provided a bit more information in a Dec. 7 email to The Western News.

"Although no grievance or other claim was filed, city management initiated an inquiry into employment practices at the police department," Chisholm wrote. "Libby Police Chief Scott Kessel has been placed on paid administrative leave pending completion of the inquiry."

With the departure of so many officers, Chisholm wrote that the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office would increase its presence in the city until the trio of officers can be replaced.

"The city of Libby prioritizes the security of Libby’s citizens and businesses. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has agreed to provide additional law enforcement coverage within city limits for the immediate future," Chisholm wrote. "The city is seeking qualified applicants to fill vacancies in the Libby Police Department, and to secure the long-term protection of its citizens."

Chisholm reiterated that officials cannot release information considered confidential related to personnel issues.

City Administrator Sam Sikes confirmed that the three officers gave their resignations on Nov. 21.

At the Dec. 5 city council meeting, Williams said that the municipality was working with the county to cover all law enforcement shifts. Sheriff Darren Short confirmed Dec. 7 that the city reached an agreement with the county to cover shifts left unmanned by the officers' resignations.

"We're not going to leave anything hanging," Short said.

Williams told The Western News that the city is looking at rebuilding the police department.

“The positions are being advertised,” Williams said in a brief phone interview.

When asked where the positions were being advertised, she refused to disclose the information.

Williams was also asked if the city was evaluating Kessel. Her reply was, “What has been said is all that can be said.”

Kessel, who frequently attends regular city council meetings to give a report on calls his officers have responded to as well as other matters of importance, was not present at the Dec. 5 meeting.

Kessel did not reply to multiple phone messages left for him at the city police department. He offered a brief reply Dec. 7 to an email seeking information.

"All comments on this issue need to come from the mayor," Kessel wrote.

Sikes said that county officers who cover shifts for the city are paid time-and-a-half and double time-and-a-half for work done on holidays and emergencies.

"The county will submit invoices to the city for their officers covering our shifts," Sikes said.

The departure of the officers first came to light on Dec. 3 on the LIBBY/TROY Community Connection Facebook page.

Darrel “DC” Orr, a former city council member, posted the following statement on the page: “How is everyone getting through the holidays without City Police protection? Since three Officers left the department under cover of secrecy some undisclosed time ago, the department has been dysfunctional. How has this affected you? I see nothing on the agenda about it.”

The post generated 222 comments as of midweek last week. Some asked how many officers were employed by the department while others wondered why Kessel hadn’t made a public statement. Some questioned why the officers resigned.

Efforts to reach Pape and Smith on social media were unsuccessful.

A check with the Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training (POST) Bureau indicated there were no allegations or investigations regarding any of the officers who resigned, Kessel or current officers Joshua Brabo and Ronald Buckner.

At the Dec. 5 city council meeting, Orr spoke on what he says is a lack of transparency with city officials.

“My comments are usually about transparency and when we lose half of our police force 10 days or more ago and nothing is announced, it seems there is a lack of transparency,” Orr said.