Matosich up for Havre police chief

Gabe Matosich, who has been acting Havre Police Chief for nearly two years, has been nominated by Mayor Tim Solomon for the permanent position.

“He’s sort of proven himself in the time he’s been in there,” Solomon said this morning.

City Council will vote on Matosich’s appointment Monday night. If council members ratify the nomination, Matosich will be sworn in on the spot.

Solomon said the city’s police commission interviewed both applicants for the job, Matosich and Detective Sgt. Jason Barkus.

Commissioners recommended that Solomon name Matosich.

“That was their recommendation,” the mayor said.

Matosich became interim chief when Kirk Fitch retired in September 2013.

At recent City Council meetings, Havre resident Bill Lanier has asked Solomon how progress was going on naming a permanent successor, but Solomon put him off, saying that “things are going on behind the scenes.”