New Forks Chief of Police Mike Rowley was the guest speaker at the West End Business and Professional Association meeting held Oct. 11 at the Rainforest Arts Center in Forks. He was joined by Ed Anderson, Clallam County Sherriff’s Office, Acting Sergeant in the West End.

Rowley said he would like to see better relationships developed between the County and Tribal Law Enforcement. “We rely on other agencies, we have situations when we need help, I would like to see a real step forward in working together,”

He added that he would love to see the CCSO Station move back into Forks.

For now, the first thing on his agenda is the budget, “I know we are in a crunch and it is a matter of taking what we’ve got and work with it,” Rowley said, adding, “I am on shift, I want the officers to be more visible.”

At this time the department is still in transition and the new chief said he can see things that need to be updated or changed; such as an updated Policy and Procedure Manual, “Even though every situation is different I want a manual that provides a guide to how we do things,” Rowley said. He added that some of the changes may have to wait until the new Mayor is chosen in November.

He said he is also looking at how other agencies operate and taking one step at a time.

“We need a goal and a new Mission Statement, our police officers, and community need to create a new goal, not just to protect, many times we just need to control the situation, not take people to jail,” Rowley said. He added that the community needs to know who their officers are as well as their families.

He complimented the residents of Evergreen Loop saying how well they work together looking out for one another. “We need to get ahead of the bad guys and citizens can really help.”

Rowley said he would like to promote ride-a-longs so community members can connect better with the department and understand what they are dealing with.

He also shared that often times those arrested “are back on the street almost before the paperwork is filed.” “We need to do a better job getting the paperwork to the Prosecutor, with no mistakes.”

Questions were asked about FPD working with OPNET and Rowley said many times they are in our town and citizen won’t even know it. Rowley said he will work to get the officers to get to know people in the community better, “If you want to be productive you need to know people, it helps in finding people when you need to.” He also shared a concern about the growing use of cocaine that is starting to be seen.

Jail accreditation was discussed. Rowley said it would not make a big difference but that it could in some peoples minds add credibility although there are costs associated with becoming accredited. “We currently do have credibility, just no plaque,” he added.

The new chief said he has lived in the community nine years and in his spare time he coaches football, “I love the community.”