Sheriff’s deputies will again cover multiple shifts a week within the city of Colfax, acting as first responders to some night and weekend calls, following the recent departure of a Colfax Police Department officer.
Officer Joe Handley resigned late last month, leaving the five-person department with two full-time officers and one temporary hire now scheduled full-time. Handley confirmed he had “resigned in good standing,” but declined further comment.
Handley marks the third Colfax officer to leave the department in the past year in addition to the contested firing of Police Chief Rick McNannay.
Sheriff Brett Myers said he expected deputies would cover three to four 12-hour shifts a week as Colfax officials sort out a long-term plan. During those shifts, his office will not typically schedule additional deputies, but will act as the primary responders to law enforcement calls within city limits.
“It’s pretty hard to run a city police department with three officers,” Myers said. “We’re hoping this is temporary until they can make some more permanent decisions.”
Myers said his office worked with city officials last fall to put together an interlocal agreement to cover staffing shortages. The contract states the sheriff’s office does not have to staff any additional or dedicated personnel, but can at Myers’ discretion. The sheriff’s office receives $360 from the city for each 12-hour shift.
“We were hoping it was a short-term contract,” he said. “We didn’t realize it was going to be carrying on this long.”
Myers noted he had encouraged Colfax officials to prioritize scheduling city officers for business hours shifts, so they would continue to serve as the “face” of the department when engaging with citizens during daytime hours.
Colfax Police Officer-in-Charge Perry Tate responded by email that the department had a plan to cover all shifts. Tate directed any additional questions to the mayor. Whitman County Watch sent two emails to Mayor Todd Vanek in the past week seeking comment, but he has not responded.
Update, May 9 — Vanek replied via email Thursday afternoon:
“The City of Colfax has the same coverage as it has had since we transitioned from 24 hour coverage when the hospital did not renew its contract for 24 hour coverage,” Vanek wrote. “The Whitman County Sheriff’s Department continues to assist us with coverage. And just FYI, Colfax PD actually responded to a county call the other night as they were busy with other calls.”
Colfax residents expressed concerns in January that relying on deputies to cover shifts might result in slower response times or reduced enforcement of municipal code violations. Vanek disputed those concerns at the time.
In early 2018, Police Chief McNannay reported budget constraints and deteriorating equipment had undermined department morale. The department lost at least two officers the previous year.
Vanek fired McNannay in January. The city cannot hire a new police chief until McNannay’s termination appeal goes through the Colfax Civil Service Commission process. A hearing is set for July 29.
Myers said he expects deputies will have to cover shifts for at least two or three months, depending on how the city proceeds. Any longer-term contract to cover city patrol shifts would require significant changes to the agreement.
While the contract with Colfax has extended longer than expected, Myers said many regional agencies have had to provide assistance to neighboring departments during periods of short staffing.
“It’s not like this is new to us,” he said, “helping other agencies.”
The city needs to contract with the Whitmam County Sheriff and dissolve the Colfax Police Dept. The city would save money by contracting with the Sheriff’s Dept!