Police Department Remains Short-Staffed
More than a month after a meeting was held to discuss the Wolf Point Police’s staff shortage, the department is still attempting to maintain order in the community with only two officers.
Wolf Point Mayor Chris Dschaak said last week that he isn’t aware of any applications from potential new officers.
On Dec. 28, city officials met with representatives from the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice, Montana Highway Patrol and Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board about the situation.
“We still have guarantees from the county and tribes to help with patrol,” Dschaak said. “We’re still providing 24-hour coverage. We’re still able to operate like that.”
At full strength, the department has six officers including the chief of police.
During the December meeting, Wolf Point Police Chief Alisha Morales and officer Enrique Morales said they will each work 12-hour shifts during the challenging times.
“We’re going to run it until the wheels run off,” Chief Morales said at that time.
Dschaak said he believes that two recent particularly violent crimes that happened in the Wolf Point area are being handled by the FPTDLJ.
Chief Morales has estimated that the police department handles about 600 calls a month. During daytime hours, the majority of the cases are for panhandling, loitering and public intoxication.
