A Clallam County Sheriff’s Office deputy will soon be lending a hand to the Forks Police Department, helping two days a week in covering the duties of FPD officers.

A contract between the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Forks was unanimously approved by the Forks City Council on Monday evening, April 9.

Clallam County Commissioner Mike Doherty attended the meeting and said the approved contract would be brought before the commissioners on Tuesday morning, April 10.

The Forks police staff is short-staffed due to an officer resigning for family reasons and another on sick leave. 

The deputy will be paid $60 per hour over a 10-hour shift, with a possible two more hours added if a deputy needs to be brought in from Sequim.

The deputy will be driving a Clallam County Sheriff’s Office vehicle and wearing his own uniform.

The interim plan is expected to run for six to eight weeks while two new Forks Police Department go through recruitment and training. 

City Attorney/Planner Rod Fleck said two candidates have been identified.

Forks Police Department interim consultant and former Snohomish Co. Sheriff Rick Bart said he is working on having the slogan “Go Spartans” placed on the side of Forks Police Department patrol cars as a way of better connecting the officers with the community.