During its Tuesday, Oct. 15 meeting, the Clark County Council unanimously approved an agreement between La Center and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) to provide police services for the city.
La Center Mayor Tom Strobehn explained the city lost the ability to fund its own police department in early 2020. Since being appointed mayor in 2023, one of Strobehn’s top priorities has been to bring police services back to La Center.
“It's been a struggle of mine since we started losing our officers and they weren't being rehired, and it was one of my main goals when I got into office to make sure that we had a proper police force,” Strobehn said. “With the addition of the officers and now a clerk in our police station, I feel like I am fulfilling that promise that I made.”
In July 2023, the La Center City Council authorized negotiations with the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department to take over policing duties. However, the talks collapsed in January 2024 when the two parties were unable to reach an agreement on liability security for Cowlitz officers.
On Feb. 28, La Center entered into a temporary agreement with CCSO, providing two officers while a permanent contract was being worked out. Since then, CCSO Commander Phil Sample has overseen police services as interim chief. Last week, Strobehn confirmed that Sample will continue to serve as chief following the final agreement. Sample worked in CCSO for 27 years, working in various roles including hostage negotiator and precinct commander.
The newly approved agreement will add two more patrol deputies and a support specialist for administrative services by February 2025.
“I am excited and happy that we've got to a point where we can actually have police services back in the city of La Center. This will allow the residents to rest easier at night knowing that there are officers patrolling our streets,” Strobehn said.
The contract runs for five years, ending in late 2029. Over the contract’s five-year term, La Center will pay a total of $5,332,506.99. The city will pay CCSO $660,663.88 upfront for 2024 services. La Center can negotiate a new agreement with CCSO after 2029.
Strobehn thanked Sheriff John Horch and CCSO Chief Mike McCabe for their role in finalizing the agreement. Horch, speaking at a Wednesday, Oct. 16, forum at the Ridgefield precinct, emphasized the significance of the contract.
“That's the first time we've had a contract like that at the sheriff's office, and it's a great opportunity. We hire more people that way… La Center wanted it and that gives them great police services,” Horch said.
