After five months of negotiations with the Cowlitz Tribe, La Center is now pursuing a contract with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) for police services.
La Center Mayor Tom Strobhen confirmed that the Sheriff’s Office appointed someone to oversee law enforcement operations while the city negotiates with the agency.
In July, La Center City Council approved negotiating a contract with the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department to take over the city’s law enforcement duties. Strobhen explained that after five months of negotiations, the deal ultimately fell through due to disagreements regarding security against legal liability for officers.
“We got everything ironed out, except we just couldn’t agree on indemnification,” Strobhen said. “At that point, we asked if that was their final part, and they said yes. They asked us if that was our final part, and we said yes.”
Once the Cowlitz Tribe and the city ceased negotiations, Strobehn brought the issue to the City Council’s December meeting, where members voted that the city should begin negotiations with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. A deal between the mayor and the county sheriff is currently being drafted.
Clark County Sheriff’s Office Commander Phil Sample will now oversee law enforcement operations in La Center while a long-term course of action for police services is developed. Sample is expected to assume command Jan. 22.
Prior to negotiations with the Cowlitz Tribe, La Center had been presented law enforcement service plans by both the tribe and CCSO.
“They always said, ‘If things don’t work out, give us a jingle,’ and that’s exactly what we did,” Strobhen said. “We’ll have some feet on the ground in here temporarily until we get the contracts dialed in.”
He said it will still take some time for an official agreement to be signed to get more officers patrolling La Center. Strobhen stated that once a temporary memorandum of understanding is agreed upon, the City Council will vote to approve it. Then the two agencies will formalize a permanent plan, on which the council will vote, as well.
Mayor Strobhen said Sample’s personality makes him ideal for the position.
“He’s very easygoing, doesn’t anger easily, very friendly,” Strobhen said.
Despite negotiations ending without a deal, the mayor said ties between La Center and the Cowlitz Tribe are still strong.
“It’s just a road bump in the relationship that we have. It’s not the end all,” Strobhen said.
While law enforcement presence in La Center is low, Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department officers have patrolled when needed, Strobhen said.
“They go in and out of the city. They help out,” Strobhen said. “They also back up Ridgefield and La Center, so they’ll still continue to be a part of our community. Some of the officers that are on the Cowlitz Tribe police came from La Center.”
