Twisp will provide police protection to Winthrop for another month under a contract approved by both town councils this month.
The contract became effective July 12 and runs through Aug. 11. Winthrop has been seeking a new marshal and is in the process of conducting background checks on one applicant for the job.
The $25,000 monthly contract provides that Twisp’s three full-time officers will split their 10-hour shifts between the two towns, responding to calls and patrolling during the hours they are on duty.
The contract authorizes the mayors of the towns to extend the agreement for up to three additional months in order to prevent a lapse in police coverage for Winthrop.
Winthrop contracted for police protection in May and June, but the contract ended June 30, leaving the town without official police coverage during the July 4 weekend.
The contract approved this month is higher than the $17,000 contract that was in place earlier, to reflect the addition of a new officer who recently joined the Twisp police department and will be providing coverage.
