Police chief to retire

Havre Police Chief Kirk Fitch will retire Sept. 27.

Fitch announced his retirement plans this morning.

He was named chief in December 2011, replacing Jerry Nystrom.

“After serving as an MP in the U.S. Army and continuing my law enforcement career with cities in three states, it was time to focus on my health and family,” Fitch, 56, said in a press release.

He headed the police department in Maricopa, Ariz., before starting at the Havre post January 2012.

Fitch stated he is grateful to Mayor Tim Solomon for the opportunity to lead the Havre Police Department through a period of change and hopes that the various community-based programs begun during his tenure take hold and expand.

When Fitch was named Havre chief, he said he wanted to increase community programs. Since then, officers have been seen more at public events, street patrols have increased and a community officer has been assigned to patrol Havre High School and Montana State University-Northern.

He initiated the National Night Out program held annually at Northern, which has attracted hundreds of community residents. In addition to food, residents are offered chances to interact with police officers and take part in interactive displays of what police do on a day-to-day basis.

Fitch is currently on medical leave recovering from neck surgery.

Fitch also said he has no immediate plans after retirement, other than to concentrate on getting healthy and staying healthy and getting more involved with his three children and five grandchildren.

Solomon was unavailable this morning for comment on Fitch’s departure and plans for a search for a new chief.