New chief is on a mission

ST. IGNATIUS – In the wake of Jeffrey Ferguson’s June 3 resignation, St. Ignatius Town Council members selected seasoned cop Charles P. Kuczynski as chief of police for a town struggling with escalating, and irritating, misdemeanor crime.

With the new chief, the town has two law enforcement officers. For the last four months, one lone officer patrolled the town.

Residents hope Kuczynski, unlike the officers before him, will become a long-term member of their community.

With prior service in Minnesota, Arkansas and now returning to Montana, his resume shows management skills and extensive drug force experience.

Some residents are not confident relationships between cops and city officials build community ties and employment practices need to be reviewed.

In previous city council meetings, Mayor Charlie Gariepy said the high turnover of cops was due to poor candidate selection.

But Ferguson’s wife, Vanessa Ferguson, disagrees.

“The problem does not lie with the community members or in the selection process,” said Vanessa Ferguson, who still lives in St. Ignatius with her children. “The town council needs to review its understanding of fair employment practices and appropriate chains of responsibility.”

Jeffrey Ferguson resigned in part after the council members declined to replace his uniform after a dog attacked and injured him.

Based on her husband’s experience Vanessa Ferguson said police accountability falls under the mayor’s duties and not of individual council members.

“This community has become home to my family and my husband and I have a great respect for its citizens,” Vanessa Ferguson said. “If the elected officials could bring themselves to recognize that there is a problem, then a healthier work environment would cause more qualified officers to call this area, and its citizens, home.”

According to town records, since 2009 five chiefs have resigned.

Councilman Darren Incashola said every city faces employment challenges and St. Ignatius officials are determined to review their hiring processes

“We, as a council, continue to strive to make good decisions on behalf of our community and its employees,” Incashola said. “Procedures will continue to fall under review, and if change is dictated, with the help of our community, we will implement the required changes and continue to encourage strong working relationships with our police officers.”

St. Ignatius Town Council meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month at council chambers.