FORKS — Clallam County and the city of Forks have teamed up to bolster law enforcement in the West End city.
The Forks City Council on Monday night and county commissioners Tuesday approved an interagency agreement to add one or more deputies to the city’s police force.
The city will pay for the deputy’s overtime — $60 per hour — on a temporary basis.
According to the agreement, the deputy will be commissioned as a Forks police officer to enforce local laws and ordinances.
Deputy’s duties
The deputy will wear the sheriff’s uniform while working for the city and may respond to calls in unincorporated areas in emergencies.
Forks Mayor Bryon Monohon said he anticipates the city contracting the deputy for about a month and a half, until the city replaces an officer who recently quit.
The city Police Department has four officers, one of whom is on leave.
Forks has contracted the services of the Sheriff’s Office in the past, Monohon said.
While Forks is still without a police chief, Monohon said former Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart is now working as a part-time consultant.
“It’s incredibly fun to watch him go,” Monohon said Tuesday.
“Rick’s incredibly experienced.”
In a March 26 presentation to the Forks City Council, Bart spoke of improvements that could be made within the department.
The City Council authorized Monohon and City Attorney Rod Fleck to draft a personal services contract with Bart in that same meeting.
Bart was the sheriff in Snohomish County for 12 years.
Part of his job will be to assist in the selection of a new police chief.
“It’s an exciting time,” Monohon said.
“We’ve got good forward motion out here right now.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
