HELENA – East Helena has offered a longtime law enforcement officer a position as the city’s police chief.
Mayor Jamie Schell said Thursday he had made a conditional offer to Mike Sanders. Sanders previously worked for the Helena Police Department for about five years during the 1990s. He then spent more than 20 years with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The offer is conditional on physical, psychological and drug evaluations. Sanders must also get approval from the East Helena Police Commission and the city council. Schell said he has already cleared a background check.
If Sanders is approved, he will be the permanent replacement for former chief Dale Aschim, who resigned last year after 10 years leading the East Helena Police Department.
Since Aschim’s resignation, Officer William Harrington has served as acting chief.
The police commission, which is made up of several local citizens, is scheduled to meet Wednesday at 3 p.m. to consider Sanders. Schell said the city council will likely vote on his candidacy at their Sept. 4 meeting.
Schell said, if Sanders is confirmed as chief, he will be paid about $52,000 a year.
