St. Ignatius police chief resigns
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ST. IGNATIUS — Police Chief Jeffrey Ferguson resigned June 3, after the St. Ignatius Town Council unanimously voted to advertise for a replacement chief in a city council meeting.
Councilmembers said they wanted to select a candidate with leadership skills, experience, and an ability to integrate into the community, but did not specifically say if Ferguson had not done any of those things during 15 months as the city’s police officer.
“We need some guidance,” Mayor Charley Gariepy said of the town’s need for a new chief.
According to Gariepy, the town’s goal was to hire a new chief, let Ferguson remain a regular officer, and continue employing a part-time officer, as next year’s budget constraints allowed.
But shortly after the meeting adjourned, Ferguson’s wife, Vanessa Ferguson, sent the Valley Journal an email saying the chief had offered his resignation and has accepted a job elsewhere in Montana. Town officials confirmed June 4 that the letter was received and that the resignation was effective June 20.
Ferguson had returned to regular work three days prior to his resignation, after time off and light duty assignments made while he rehabilitated from a severe on-duty dog attack that occurred March 13.
City councilman Ray Frey said that the town faired fine during Ferguson’s leave.
“It was definitely proven when we didn’t have anybody here that this town got along fine with a half-time cop,” Frey said. “So this idea of needing more and more (officers) should be put to bed.”
Community member Steve Smith encouraged the council to choose the next chief carefully.
“When you hire this next chief of police, mindset is so important for the community,” Smith said. “I think you want someone who wants to be part of the community. I understand people violate the law, but I think that education is an important part of the community police department.”
Frey said that most officers say they want to stay and become a part of the community when they are hired, but few have done so over the years.
In an interview after the meeting, Ferguson said many previous officers have struggled to justify the job’s low pay for the council’s high demands.
There are no benefits to accompany the low pay that is comparable to what an untrained, uncertified rookie county officer would receive, he said.
Having several bosses also complicated things for the chief.
“Some council members think you should work more hours, some think you should work less,” he said.
Ferguson said he’ll miss the townspeople of St. Ignatius.
