The Town of Twisp may need to extend its police protection contract with the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office into 2024, as the town continues to search for a police chief and rebuild its police department.
At last week’s Town Council meeting, council member Hans Smith, who is on the town’s Public Safety Committee, said there have still been no viable applicants for the police chief opening.
The current contract with the Sheriff’s Office ends Dec. 31. Smith said the expectation is that it will need to be extended, possibly under different payment terms.
Beyond that, Smith said, it may be desirable to consider a longer-term contract with the Sheriff’s Office to provide a law enforcement presence in the town.
The town has a contract with the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to assist in the search for a chief.
Paul Budrow, Twisp’s former police chief, was elected Okanogan County Sheriff in 2022. After his election, the town’s two deputies resigned, leaving the town with no police coverage.
The Town contracted with the Sheriff’s Office in May of this year to provide interim police coverage while the town seeks to rebuild its police force. Under the agreement, the town pays the county $500 per call response.
