After over a year of searching and negotiating, police services will return to La Center in full.
During a Wednesday, Sept. 25, meeting, the La Center City Council unanimously approved a final interlocal agreement with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) for law enforcement services. The agreement was ratified following over six months of negotiations.
“Tonight's resolution is something that's [been] a long time coming,” La Center Mayor Tom Strobehn said. “We've worked hard on [it], so hopefully you can appreciate what's about to be presented.”
The city’s efforts to secure dedicated law enforcement services have faced challenges. In July 2023, the City Council authorized negotiations with the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department to assume policing duties for La Center. However, the talks collapsed in January 2024 when the two parties could not agree on liability security for Cowlitz officers.
On Feb. 28, the city entered into a temporary agreement with CCSO, which included a fill-in police chief and two officers while a permanent contract was negotiated. The newly approved agreement will add two more deputies set to begin patrolling by February 2025. The city will also gain a support specialist for administrative police services by that time.
The agreement also covers the costs of specialized services including K9 units, SWAT, and bomb disposal teams.
“This agreement also covers a lot of the extras that you would pay for as a city when the sheriff gets involved [including] detective services, SWAT and such like that. So that'll all be included in the agreement,” 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. Although the police personnel will be CCSO employees, the La Center City Council will have the ability to conduct performance reviews for discussion with the sheriff's office. Additionally, the city and CCSO will be able to meet to discuss law enforcement priorities specific to La Center, including patrol locations. Under the agreement, a permanent chief of police will be selected and installed within 60 days. CCSO Commander Phil Sample has led police services in La Center since January under the temporary agreement.
The community’s approval of the agreement was highlighted by loud applause following the council’s unanimous vote.
“... I got goosebumps. We’ve got police again,” Strobehn said.
