Whitefish police to assist Columbia Falls department

The city of Columbia Falls is advertising for a new police chief, but until it hires a new one, Whitefish Assistant Police Chief Mike Ferda will help run the department.

The deal, approved by Columbia Falls City Council in its consent agenda Monday night, will pay the city of Whitefish $54.74 an hour for eight hours of work a week, for 12-16 weeks while the city looks for new applicants.

Ferda could work more than that in the beginning, the agreement notes.

Columbia Falls fired their longtime Police Chief Dave Perry last month.

Ferda told the Columbia Falls Council he’s met with the city’s officers and looks forward to working with them and “light fires under their butts a bit.”

He said he wasn’t coming to Columbia Falls to usurp, but to be a team builder, noting there’s a lot in common with the two cities.

“The administrative personnel provided by the city of Whitefish will work directly with the city’s senior staff member, Sergeant Sean Murphy, in coordinating the administrative functions and oversight of all department personnel,” the contract reads. “The administrative personnel will report directly to the Columbia Falls City Manager, as needed. The scope of services may be amended by mutual consent of both parties as described above based on the needs of the Columbia Falls Police Department.”

Columbia Falls has nine officers on its staff.

According to the contract, Ferda’s work is to not exceed $15,000.

The Whitefish City Council also approved the agreement Monday.