Full force
Ronan Police Department hires new officers
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RONAN – After a year and a half of working through various legal and personnel problems, the Ronan Police Department has a fully staffed five-man force of experienced officers ready to tackle crime in the city.
Police Chief Ken Weaver marked a new era in the department by distributing badges to his crew on Feb. 12 and swearing in two new officers.
“We’ve been making some strides and changes in the community and I hope you will approve of it,” Weaver told city councilmembers. “You are going to see a marked difference moving forward.”
Weaver commended officers Pat Noble and James Garcia for their continued work on the police force, especially during the time that the department was shorthanded.
“This has been our police department for the past several months,” Weaver said. “These guys have done an outstanding job with the hours they’ve put in, sometimes on their off-duty time … The community appreciates it. These guys are out until three, four in the morning. They’ve been very good.”
New to the force are Jason Acheson and Trevor Sheridan.
Acheson, 37, is originally from Minnesota, but moved to Columbia Falls, where he completed high school. He has an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Flathead Valley Community College. Acheson is Montana POST certified through the Montana Law Enforcement Academy with basic and advance certificates. He has worked for the Whitefish and Columbia Falls Police Department.
“I’m really excited to move to Lake County,” Acheson said. “I’m really excited to be here.”
Sheridan, 26, hails from California. Sheridan has taken some college courses, worked in the food industry and has been a detention officer is Sanders County. He has volunteered as an EMT, firefighter, and for search and rescue. He has served four years in the Montana National Guard.
“I’m looking forward to having a law enforcement career,” Sheridan said.
Sheridan is set to attend the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in April. The new officers will begin field training next week.
“They want to be here, so let’s give them the opportunity,” Weaver said.
Mayor Kim Aipperspach thanked all the officers and the chief for their contributions to the department, after the tumultuous year of problems.
“We’re back to square one again,” Aipperspach said.
City Councilmember Chris Adler said he has received a ton of positive feedback since the new chief arrived in mid-September 2014.
“He’s doing a really good job. I’m glad we got him in here,” Adler told the people in attendance before turning his attention to Police Chief Weaver. “I’m impressed with what you’ve done in the short time you’ve been here. It’s not gone unnoticed. People stop us in the grocery store … It’s the new buzz talk in town.”
