Ronan considers new police leader
Megan Strickland
Dennis Lewis tells Ronan City Council members his ideas for improving the Ronan Police Department.
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RONAN – Ronan City Council spent the weekend mulling over whether or not the city should hire a former employee of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department to lead its police department.
Dennis Lewis met with city councilmembers on Friday, less than a week after recently appointed Police Chief John Mitchell was demoted to a regular officer position for unspecified reasons.
Lewis presented his resume to the council and Mayor Kim Aipperspach. Lewis said he’d like to use his decades of law enforcement experience to create a new, positive image for the Ronan Police Department.
“I’ll be honest with you, I figure doing this will probably be my last career job,” Lewis said. “But I want to leave here having done some good.”
Lewis suggested the city draw up a year-long contract in which he would completely overhaul the department. Because he’s retired, Lewis said he doesn’t need a large salary or benefits.
His plans include training officers and making sure evidence lockers and paperwork filings are up to snuff. Lewis said he lacks the physical stamina to pass the physical portion of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy exam, but can legally lead the department for up to a year without the certification. After that, the city could keep Lewis on staff as an administrator or consultant or he could take a refresher course or specially designed academy course without the physical element, Lewis said.
Despite the fact that Lewis holds multiple law enforcement certifications in five states, some city councilmembers were concerned that he doesn’t hold certification specifically from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.
The Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Council stripped longtime police chief Dan Wadsworth of his certifications in July 2013, after he allegedly falsified his son Trevor’s application to the academy.
Ronan also disbanded its reserve force after questions about the legality of the reserves pay structure and training arose.
The city then set about hiring a new chief and certified officers.
Both Lewis and Mitchell were shortlisted for the chief position, but Alaskan Valent Maxwell was hired instead. Maxwell lasted 10 weeks on the job before scrutiny of his competence lead to his departure. Mitchell then took over on Jan. 21, before being removed from the position in late April.
“I’m just worried about this POST deal,” Councilmember Chris Adler said. “That’s where all of this started.”
Lewis said he wasn’t worried about POST taking issue with his certification.
“It’s not like I’m coming in here blind without any knowledge,” Lewis said.
The council was expected to make a decision after press time on Monday.
