Fairview chief of police released of duties

Sidney Herald

The Fairview City Council called a special meeting last week to discuss matters concerning the swimming pool and law enforcement. Mayor Bryan Cummins said that it was decided by the council to release Chief of the Fairview Police Department Curt Myhre.

"I did not resign," Myhre said. "I was released."

Myhre had not graduated from the police academy when he was hired onto the force.

"When a peace officer has not graduated from the academy, they have one year to graduate from the academy," Fairview city attorney Mike Weber said. "A 180 day extension can be given and was given." Under state law, no further extension can be given.

Montana law states that any peace officer who fails to complete the basic course at the academy within the one year and six months given forfeits the position, authority and arrest powers.

"The six-month extension is given because of high turnover rates," Myhre said. "We needed to have somebody running the show while I went to the academy."

Myhre's extension ended midnight June 26, after which he can no longer be a police officer. Myhre had graduated from the academy in the past, but since his retirement lasted more than 60 months, it was required by Montana statute that he must be go through basic training at the law enforcement academy. Myhre had failed to pass the physical examination in March, which prohibited him from attending the 12 week course at that time.

"If I had passed, I probably would have graduated by now," Myhre said.

After Myhre failed the physical pre-test, the law enforcement academy sent a person to help Myhre prepare for another physical fitness pre-test. The law enforcement basic training course is offered three times during the year and is a 12 week course. In order to gain admittance into the course, the physical pre-test must be passed. The pre-test is offered 45 days prior to the start of the basic training course in several different locations across Montana.

"When any individual has difficulty passing the pre-test, we extend an offer to help them," Rick Layng, program manager for the Montana Law Enforcement's basic training course, said. "We make the offer to anybody having difficulty passing the test."

The academy employs an officer who is a certified personal trainer. Jeff Douglas gave Myhre some ideas on a diet and exercise that would help Myhre pass the pre-test. "We try to create an environment where officers can succeed," Layng said.

Layng said that a slot was held open for Myhre until the very last minute. Myhre tested four times and failed to pass the pre-test.

Due to not being able to pass the pre-test, Myhre could not be admitted into the basic training course in time to graduate by June 26.

"The council decided to release him," Cummins said. "He was present at the meeting, and said that he'll be handing in his resignation."

"The council told me that I could stay on until the 26th," Myhre said. "The council did say I could attend the academy on my own and then reapply for the position," Myhre says, but he would have to pay for the academy. The city would not sponsor him. Myhre is presently unsure of what he will do next but says he has thought about work in the oil field.

reporter@sidneyherald.com