Palouse officer Joe Handley resigns to join Colfax Dept.

Palouse Police Officer Joe Handley resigned to become a full-time officer in Colfax. He served his last day Oct. 29 for the Palouse department which also covers Garfield.

Handley worked for Palouse since May 2015.

“Officer Handley is a very well-respected peace officer,” said Michael Echanove, Palouse mayor. “He’s a young man with a bright future. I told him ‘I am not accepting your resignation.’ He has a real sixth sense about police work.”

Reserve Officer Terry Snead is set to fill-in for Handley in Palouse. The city hired full-time officer Joel Anderson in March after an extended search following the retirement of Joe Merry.

Police Chief Jerry Neumann is set to meet with the city council’s police, fire and safety committee Thursday.

“Don’t know yet,” said Neumann of whether the city will again hire a third officer. “We should have some direction after the next council meeting (Nov. 13).”

Handley may yet work in Palouse in the future for special events such as Haunted Palouse.

The officer requested his exit to include keeping gear such as his police jumpsuit, holster, bulletproof vest and flashlight in exchange for accrued leave time.

The city is working that out now in conjunction with the state auditor’s office.

Handley underwent state academy training in 2012 and served as an officer for the Upper Skagit tribe in the Sedro-Woolley area before joining the Palouse Department.

Handley is also state certified as a training officer and a first line officer.

With the addition of Handley, the Colfax Police Department still remains one officer short of a full roster.

The three prior police officers hired by Colfax were required to undergo state academy training before they actually joined the department.