The Toole County Sheriff's Office is providing assistance to the town of Conrad.
Conrad mayor Wendy Judisch called for backup from the Toole County Sheriff's Office with two of the town's four full-time police officers currently unable to work because of COVID-19. "I think there's that expectation of law enforcement, of law enforcement presence, and that's part of our responsibility; to keep our citizens safe and to keep my officers safe,” Judisch said.
Each day while the two officers are out, Toole County deputies will work 10-hour shifts patrolling the city with the city's police officers. The deputies will wear their Sheriff's uniforms and use Sheriff's vehicles, but have been sworn in as city police officers and will be paid time and a half by the city.
Padilla was on the first shift with a deputy Monday night, and said the night went smoothly. "The departments are very fluid together. asically, we're out continuing operations like we normally do, patrol. They enhance our operation capacity,” said Padilla.
Toole County Sheriff Dona Whitt had no hesitation about helping out. "We've worked together for years and we support each other,” Whitt said.
Providing support also helps the county. Since the deputies will be working, Whitt won't have to worry about them using their days off for something else, like vacation, and not being available if something were to happen in the county.
The deputies have been sworn in as police officers for 30 days but can be re-sworn if they’re still needed after that.
