New County Sheriff Tony Hawley calls on Pateros City Council

PATEROS – Okanogan County Sheriff Tony Hawley paid a visit to the regular monthly meeting of the Pateros City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 19, his first since his election as the county’s chief law enforcement officer last November.

Accompanying Hawley was new undersheriff Aaron Culp who replaces the retired Joe Somday. Culp, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with military police experience, previously worked for the Washington State Department of Corrections.

On the council agenda was a resolution amending the annual law enforcement contract with the county that was incorrectly approved at the council’s January meeting. The correct document, an Interlocal Agreement for Law Enforcement Services needed to be approved and submitted to the Okanogan County Commissioners. Pateros has contracted with the county for law enforcement services since 2005.

Mayor Carlene Anders opened the floor to questions from council members. Council member George Brady had one.

“The one thing we did ask for and hadn’t gotten in the past couple of years was the Drug Task Force,” said Brady. “We give additional money to them every year and…when their number comes up that someone from the Drug Task Force needs to come down and explain to us what they’re doing and how it’s working.”

Council members unanimously approved the 2019 Interlocal Law enforcement Agreement with the county.