Town looking at one lateral hire, four new recruits
Twisp Police Chief Paul Budrow could be getting some backup soon.
The town might hire a veteran officer in the next few months, and a second new officer could be on the streets early next year, according to an official from the town’s Civil Service Commission.
As many as five applicants for two vacant positions in the Twisp Police Department will be interviewed over the next month, Civil Service Commission Secretary Heather Davis said at a Twisp Planning Commission meeting on Aug. 12.
“About four” entry-level recruits and one potential lateral hire are currently under review by the commission, Davis said. She expects the entry-level candidates to interview with the commission in September. The lateral candidate, who has previous law enforcement experience, could be interviewed sooner and could join Budrow before the end of the year.
The entry-level hire would immediately go on Twisp’s payroll but would be sent to the state police academy for about four months.
The new officers would be on probation during their first year on the job, so Budrow can ensure they are a good fit for the town.
The salary range for the entry-level position is $74,838 to $78,624. The lateral pay scale is $79,976 to $85,966, according to Public Safety Testing, a company that provides law-enforcement testing services to agencies across the country.
If two candidates are hired, the Police Department would have its full complement of three officers — including Budrow, who returned as police chief in April after serving in that role from 2011 to 2022.
Budrow told the Twisp Town Council on Aug. 11 that he personally “coaxed” the lateral candidate to apply, adding that “a couple locals” were among the entry-level applicants.
Budrow had no additional updates on the applicants at last week’s council meeting.
“I stay out of the hiring process until civil service gives me a list,” he said.
But he was able to say “it is looking up” for getting more cops on the beat in Twisp — a prospect he looks forward to.
“I am starting to get tired,” he joked. “It is summertime. I’m looking forward to snow and winter, and our fair-weather bad guys going back into their houses.”
Budrow also wanted Twisp residents to know they shouldn’t call his office or cell phones to file a complaint. For a quicker response, call 911 or the nonemergency dispatch number, (509) 422-7232, he said.
