LCSO detention officer on leave following arrest

POLSON — Lake County detention officer Tristen Flagen has been placed on paid administrative leave following her arrest in Sanders County on the evening of Sunday, March 30.

Flagen is being charged with misdemeanor negligent endangerment in Sanders County for allegedly shooting at a street sign, according to a press release from Lake County Undersheriff Dan Yonkin.

Flagen is no longer in custody in Sanders County.

The press release did not identify Flagen as the suspended officer, but a source confirmed that she was the suspended party. Following personnel procedure, Yonkin could not confirm or deny that Flagen was the officer on leave.

Sanders County Sheriff Tom Rummel could not be reached for comment despite multiple attempts.

Yonkin said that paid administrative leave is typical procedure when an officer has charges pending against him or her.

“That doesn’t in any way indicate guilt or our opinion on the matter,” Yonkin said. “… Until we know what the facts are, we don’t really want to keep them working.”

A similar situation took place last month when another Lake County detention officer was being investigated after Polson Police found underage drinkers at his residence. That officer was determined not to be at fault or even at home during the incident.

Two other Lake County Sheriff’s Office employees, a deputy and a dispatcher, have been fired in the past three weeks as well.