Author photo

By Garth Meyer
Gazette Reporter 

Palouse police officer terminated from job

 


The Palouse Police Department, which also covers Garfield, is down to two officers again after Leighton Cox, hired on April 3, was terminated June 20 for violating department policy.

“There was cause,” said Chief Jerry Neumann. “There were things that didn't add up with him. That's why you have a year's probation period.”

Cox joined the department from Wasilla, Alaska.

Cox's equipment has been returned.

With his absence, Neumann and Officer Joel Anderson will cover, if needed, until the return of reserve officer Terry Snead, who is gone for the summer to perform in a stage play in North Carolina.

The city of Palouse will continue to run its ad on the Washington state criminal justice jobsite, which it has for the past eight months.

“A third full-time officer would be ideal,” said Neumann. “Pay is an issue. That's something we'll definitely need to work on with (city) council.”

Neumann told the council June 25 that some issues came to light after they hired Cox, information that would not surface during the standard vetting process of polygraph tests and a psychological background check.

“It didn't pan out for the best,” said Mayor Michael Echanove said.

The city council will consider next steps, including a proposal by Neumann for $200 per week to pay for added shifts and on-call coverage.

“We're looking at ways to offset the extra on-call hours and otherwise,” Neumann said. “We could have one of us on for 24 hours per day, three days in a row, including on-call.”

Will the stipend go before the council?

“Something's got to give,” Neumann said.

“The mayor and police, fire and safety committee will investigate the best route to take,” said Echanove. “We haven't talked about it yet as a group.”

Snead will be available again at the end of August.

“Terry has re-joined the department about 15 times so we always welcome him back,” Echanove said.

Author Bio

Garth Meyer, Former reporter

Author photo

Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

Cheney Free Press
Ritzville Adams County Journal
Whitman County Gazette
Odessa Record
Franklin Connection
Davenport Times
Spokane Valley News Herald
Colfax Daily Bulletin

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024

Rendered 03/03/2024 15:06