LPD Chief Coker resigns
by Kootenai Valley Record
July 16, 2009
Libby Police Chief Clay Coker has submitted his resignation effective Aug. 1, citing plans to attend law school.
Coker, who holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, said he’s on the waiting list for the fall semester at the University of Montana’s law school but most likely won’t start school until the fall of 2010.
"I’m starting my 23rd year in law enforcement, and I’d like to pursue my law degree because I see that as a weak spot in our system," he said.
Coker worked as a deputy for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office before accepting the chief’s position in 1996. He was instrumental in re-forming the city police department, which had been disbanded in 1982 in favor of a contract with the sheriff’s office. Coker said he hopes the city council heeds his advice and retains its own police force following his departure rather than returning to a contract with the sheriff’s office.
"I’ve showed them it’s going to cost more, and the service is going to drop," he said.
Coker said he plans to return to Libby to work after he receives his law degree.
"I can’t be a cop forever," he said. "At some point I’ve got to get out of it. If I’m an attorney, I can work until I kick over behind the table in the courtroom."
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Editor’s Note: See the July 14, 2009 edition of the Kootenai Valley Record for the printed version of this story. The Kootenai Valley Record publishes once a week, on Tuesdays, in Libby, Montana. They are a locally owned community newspaper, located at 403 Mineral Avenue in Libby. For in-county and out-of-county subscription information, call 406-293-2424, or e-mail kvrecord@gmail.com.
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