Game warden reassigned

POLSON —  Hunting season is just gearing up in Lake County, but without a local  Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) game warden.

Polson Game Warden Frank Bowen has been temporarily reassigned for a period of six months as of a memorandum dated Aug. 14 from Captain Lee Anderson of the FWP. 

During this time the position will be left vacant amid allegations of corruption among Lake County law enforcement officers.  

The memorandum refers to an investigation by the Montana Public Safety Officers Standard and Training Council, stating that, “given the current POST investigation into Lake County, the notice of intent to sue FWP by other law enforcement officers in Lake County, the unwillingness of County Attorney Mitch Young to prosecute any of your cases, combined with threats to your personal safety and jurisdictional questions regarding state game warden authority on the Flathead Indian Reservation, we feel this reassignment is in your, as well as the department’s best interest for the time being.”

Young could not be reached for comment.

Anderson stated in the memorandum that the reassignment was neither, “a disciplinary nor punitive act,” and that Bowen will continue to work at the same pay grade and have the same job classification. 

FWP Region 1 spokesman John Fraley said neither he nor Anderson were able to comment because it was a personal matter.

Bowen has been transferred to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. 

For the time being, Anderson stated, “we will work directly with CSKT Tribal Fish and Game, USFWS and FWP staff to ensure the district receives adequate coverage until a permanent solution is made. “

In June, Bowen testified before a Law and Justice Interim Committee, composed of state legislators, as to the charges being brought against law enforcement officers.

 Bowen told the committee that his agency wrapped up its investigation into poaching allegations, sent case reports to  county attorneys in February, but Lake County  Attorney Mitch Young refused to prosecute the officers. 

The report requested that the prosecutors file a variety of charges against officers from the Lake County Sheriff’s department, Polson Police Department and Flathead Tribal Police Department. 

According to the memorandum, Bowen is not to conduct any work activities in the Polson warden district (including DNRC land issues). 

The memorandum stated, “we fully understand there are ongoing investigations by POST and you may be called upon for depositions or court proceedings related to that and you are expected to prepare for those activities.”