A fresh start to the search for a new Forks Police Chief is beginning.

Mayor Bryon Monohon told the Forks City Council on Monday evening, March 12 that a letter was sent out to a candidate who had been in Forks for a few months, letting him know he wasn’t being hired for the position. Another candidate dropped out of the running, he said.

Monohon said the position is to be posted once again, seeking a new field of candidates. In addition, one of the candidates from a previous search will be looked over again.

Discussion about the police chief job, which has been vacant since former  Forks Police Chief Doug Price quite the job last fall, began when the wife of a Forks Police Officer posed questions about the Forks Police Department to the mayor during the public discussion time he provides at the beginning of each meeting.

In tears, she said, “My concern I have for my husband is he can’t take vacation nor sick time…and is putting his life on the line…and is getting exhausted.” 

Later in the meeting FPD Officer Hoagland told the council he works 12 hour shifts, plus is on call virtually most of the week. In addition, he said calls to the department are left unchecked due to lack of officers. He cited one shift where he received about 14 or calls, including four felony-level burglary cases, and had a back log of five or six calls that day he didn’t have time to respond to. 

The City Council discussed the issue. It was decided to seek outside help in finding a new police chief and finding a way to give more support to the police officers.

Monohon said he would ask Clallam County Sheriff Bill  Benedict to attend the next council meeting to discuss the issues. 

Monohon announced that in early April Audrey Grafstrom is joining the City of Forks as Treasurer/City Clerk. Grafstrom comes to the city from West End Outreach and replaces Dan Leinan, who retired from joint post earlier this year after 30 years of service with the city.