Resource officer's certification questioned

REARDAN-–At its meeting on Thursday, Oct. 6, the town council heard a complaint calling into question the certification of Reardan-Edwall School District Resource Officer Melissa Foust.

Police Chief Andy Manke read an anonymous complaint that was submitted to Washington state’s Criminal Justice Training Commission in September. The complainant stated Foust should not be employed as a school resource officer because her status as a reserve officer does not allow full-time employment.

To remedy this situation, Chief Manke changed Foust’s employment status.

“I fired Officer Foust as a reserve officer and hired her as a full-time officer,” Manke said.

Foust has until May 1 to complete the Basic Law Enforcement Academy to receive the necessary certification to retain her position at the school. The cost of her training will be $4,200. Chief Manke will contact the school district and request that it fund Foust’s training.

The council also heard testimony from 11-year-old Noah Chambers, who requested the town donate 3,000 square feet of land for a skateboard park. Chambers said skateboarding improves mental health, fosters community involvement and can be enjoyed by young and old alike.

“We can get funding, all we need is space,” he said.

The council told Chambers that no land was currently available, but suggested he bring his request back to them in the future.