ADLC Chief of Law Enforcement Candidates

Stephen W. Ernsberger

 

Age: 57 years old

Length of residency in Anaconda: Over 29 years

Born and raised: Born Ft. Bragg NC. Raised in Darby MT

Occupation: Senior police Capt. Anaconda MT

Family: My wife of 39 years Susan; Jesse Ernsberger my son; Stephanie and Amanda my daughters; A Granddaughter Mckynsi and Grandson Traejan

Education: Graduated from Darby high school; Completed Wyo Tech in Laramie WY; Military police School; Montana Law Enforcement Academy 

Military Service: Montana Army National Guard June 83 to April 87; Active Army April 87 to February 95

Previous political offices: No othe political Offices

 

Question 1: Why are you running for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Chief of Law Enforcement and what skills do you bring to the table as Police Chief?  

I feel that there are things that need to be changed in the Dept. and I believe that I have the skills and leadeship experience to accomplish these goals.

 

Question 2: What are your top priorities as Chief of Law Enforcement?

The safety and protection of the citizens of Deerlodge county and the training of the law enforcement staff (Police, Dispatch and Detention).  I would also work on the fair and equal treatment of all staff to help improve the morale and discipline in the dept.

 

Question 3: What in your opinion is the number one criminal justice issue currently affecting ADLC residents today, and how will you work with your colleagues in law enforcement, with other agencies and officials and with the public at large to address it?  

I believe that the illegal narcotics are still the number one issue in the county.  I would continue to work with the surrounding counties, state and federal agencies as well as the county attorney and the courts.

 

Question 4: How will you work with the commission and CEO in ensuring the police department is sufficiently staffed, equipped, and trained for their duties while operating within the confines of ADLC’s budget?

I would make surr that when there is an opening in the Dept. (Police. Disparch. Detention) that the position is advertised quickly and filled.  I will do my best to make sure all members of the Dept. get to go to training as much as possible and see about getting as much training to come here as we can to help kepp all staff well trained.  With the equipment I would get with all staff to see what is needed most to help with operation of the Dept.

 

Kyle Staley

 

Age: 43

Length of Residency in Anaconda: 16 1/2 yrs.

Born and Raised: I was born in Minnesota, raised in Puyallup, WA and later in Hamilton, MT

Occupation: Lt. Detective with Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement

Family: Geri Staley(wife), children: Maverick, Annabelle, Layne, and Scout

Education: I hold Basic, Advanced, Intermediate, Supervisory, and Instructor certificates with the Public Safety Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T). I also have over 400 hours of training in various subjects like: Crime scene processing, Drug Interdiction, Taser Instructor, Enhanced Tactical Medicine, Field Training Officer, and Instructor Development. I have also had multiple trainings in management, supervising, and leadership.

Military Service: I served in the U.S. Army from 1996 to 2006. I served a 1-year deployment to Iraq in 2003 and was stationed in Fallujah with the 1st Infantry Division. I was awarded many awards and citations including the Combat Action Badge for being actively engaged in enemy combat.

Previous Political offices held and/or memberships in community /professional organizations: I have been a member of the Anaconda Police Protective Association for almost 17 years. Although I am currently not part of any community organizations, I spend a lot of my free time volunteering to coach youth sports.

 

Question 1: Why are you running for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Chief of Law Enforcement and what skills do you bring to the table as Police Chief?

I love the community of Anaconda and the ADLC Law Enforcement Department. I take considerable pride in knowing that I take part in trying to create and maintain the best environment for the community. I am running because I want to make a positive change within the department and the community. I am a proactive leader who is committed to rebuilding trust within the community and department by creating an environment of transparency, accountability, honesty, and integrity. The relationship between the community and the department is crucial as it builds trust between the officers and community, which will lead to more effective crime prevention and resolution. I want to ensure that I am available and present for the community to address any questions, concerns, or complaints to help build this relationship. From the very start of my career, I have been in leadership roles as shift commander, sergeant, lieutenant, field training officer, and training officer for the department. Through my training and experience, I have a vast knowledge and understanding of all law enforcement principles including investigative techniques, legal procedures, advanced technology, and community relations.

 

Question 2: What are your top priorities as Chief of Law Enforcement?

As Chief of Law Enforcement, my top priority will be to ensure the safety and security of the community we serve. This will include that I provide a well-trained, proactive, and equipped police force that our community deserves. I will prioritize the importance of continued professional growth and the well-being of our officers. By ensuring that our officers are provided with training, resources, and support necessary, it will allow our officers to perform their duties to the best of their ability. It is crucial that the department is brought up to date with modern technology which enhances efficiency, effectiveness, and overall law enforcement capabilities. Additionally, I will ensure our officers are equipped with proper personal protective equipment that is not expired or falling apart. There is absolutely no excuse as to why we are sending officers to calls with expired bullet proof vests. I want to rejoin the Drug Task Force and bridge the gap with other outside agencies. The current officers we have are doing great things combating the drug epidemic in this county but the ability to work with other agencies to share intelligence is crucial.

 

Question 3: What in your opinion is the number one criminal justice issue currently affecting ADLC residents today, and how will you work with your colleagues in law enforcement, with other agencies and officials and with the public at large to address it?

The number one concern across the entire state is the drug issue and its accompanying crimes. I have plans and have every intention of rejoining the Drug Task Force if elected. When tracing the source of drugs, it doesn’t take much time before you’re navigating through various counties and agencies. Bridging the gap, building, and maintaining those relationships is vital in tackling and confronting the drug source within our community. I want to implement an open line of communication between the community and the department. Officers cannot always be everywhere, and we have an entire community to help by being our eyes and ears. All it takes is a way for those community members to let us know without having to go through the entire process of calling and making a report. Sometimes a small, what seems to be insignificant piece of information can be a key to a larger issue. Again, this goes back to being available to the community.

 

Question 4: How will you work with the commission and CEO in ensuring the police department is sufficiently staffed, equipped, and trained for their duties while operating within the confines of ADLC’s budget?

It is important to have working relationships built on trust and transparency to advocate for the best interests of the department. It requires leadership that is willing to work alongside the CEO and commission to ensure the department receives the resources necessary to thrive. When it comes to staffing, the morale of the department plays into this. The department needs a strong leader. The current crisis in staffing involves the dispatch center. It will take some work with the CEO and commissioners to create an environment that appeals to job seekers. There are grants available to assist in staffing. Recruiting and retention is crucial. Officers want to work in a department that has a culture of training, education, and integrity. With my leadership I will provide that environment. When it comes to training, I have set the standard for the department as the Training Officer. I have been able to get more training for the officers than ever before and to combat budgets I have gotten my P.O.S.T. Certified Instructor that has given me the skills and ability to provide in-house training for our officers. I have also hosted training courses in town that not only benefit the department by getting free spots with minimal overtime, but also benefit the community by bringing in officers from out of town who eat and stay here for multiple days. When it comes to equipping our department, we have fallen behind tremendously.  We are in need of vehicles, personal protective equipment, and basic digital evidence management tools such as cameras in cars.  This will take some creative solutions with the CEO and commissioners.  In the past we have gotten used vehicles from other agencies, but that is essentially a temporary fix and does not address the overall problem.  We, as a community, need to equip our law enforcement properly so they can do their best to serve the community.  There should be no reason an officer has to take off their body camera and hold it up in the window to capture a traffic stop involving a potentially violent suspect because the in-car camera is not functioning as it should.  This is unacceptable and the Chief should never procrastinate when it comes to officer safety.