Patrolman King promoted to Helena

After 10 years of patrolling the highways and roads of the Flathead Valley, trooper Clancy King is moving to Helena.

King will be in charge of training for officers, dispatchers, truck inspectors and office employees for the Montana Highway Patrol.

In his new position as district support captain, King also will be involved in recruiting and hiring, and lobbying for the department. At the top of the department's list is more manpower and salaries that can compete with other law-enforcement agencies in the state.

King, 43, was among 10 to 11 sergeants who tested for the job in October. He was promoted to captain and notified in December that he was selected.

King said he has "been involved in training for years," including training the officers who work with new recruits after they go through the academy. He also has coached officers in a mock court and taught them about courtroom demeanor so they will have "a feel for what it's like to testify" before they actually wind up as a witness.

"I enjoy seeing officers develop," King said.

He has spent about 18 years on patrol, beginning in Hardin and then working the Columbia Falls area and Libby before starting a 10-year stint in the Kalispell office.

"I love what I'm doing right now - the people and the community … I think the valley's unique in how everyone works together," he said. That includes law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services and the public.

"I'll miss working crashes and crash investigations," King said. The Flathead Valley is known as "the crash capital of the state," he said.

But he is looking forward to having some statewide impact.

The highway patrol could create 50 new positions, but if the salary isn't competitive, the department will continue to lose officers to better-paying law-enforcement agencies, he said.

"It becomes just a training job" for officers who quit for other jobs, King said.

"I think we need to fix the pay first," he said.

He has been talking to Flathead Valley legislators about the needs he sees and has had a good reception with some.

King, whose children will continue attending Whitefish schools, said he is ready to get to work in Helena.

"At some point, you have to look for different challenges," he said.

Reporter Chery Sabol may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at [email protected]