[May 11, 2013] Retiring officer leaves legacy of caring Tweet TROY, May 11, 2013 (Lewiston Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Kt Whiteley is firm. She doesn't believe in playing favorites and she doesn't like fools and idiots. But behind her well-earned tough exterior, Troy's soon-to-be retired chief of police has a heart of gold that community leaders say has served this Latah County town of about 860 well for 20 years. Whiteley, about 68, will retire July 31, and the city has already begun looking for her replacement. She was raised in public service, worked for the federal government and in June 1993 was selected as Troy's first and only female police chief. "I've had times, in all the jobs I've had, where I've been the first female in the positions and I've had to prove myself and that gets tiring," Whiteley said. Whiteley's first name is actually Katherine. It was phonetically shortened to "Kt" to fit on the hard hat she wears when serving for Latah County's search-and-rescue team, and the nickname just stuck. Despite being responsible for her own search-and-rescue team, working in dispatch for Latah County and finding herself in some precarious situations while completing census surveys for the federal government, Whiteley had to prove herself as a law enforcement official in Troy. "I've had them say, 'you're not a cop' -- excuse me, I went to academy and I passed," she said. She said her mission was always to serve the community to the best of her ability, and Whiteley attended Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training two years after she was hired by the city council. "They needed somebody, and I figured I could do it and serve the community," she said. The city was looking for someone who would do just that when they hired Whiteley, former Troy Mayor Marie Vogel said. They wanted someone with her philosophy -- who didn't believe in being "ticket happy" or using "the good old boy" approach. "I needed someone who was as tough as me," said Vogel, who was Troy's first female mayor. Vogel said Whiteley was hired at a time when Troy needed someone who would be invested in the community and cared about solutions instead of punishment alone. Troy contracted with the Latah County Sheriff's Office for about two years after former Marshal Willard (Moon) Moondyer retired, but disagreed about the service being provided. It was Whiteley's answers to questions surrounding some of Troy's main concerns at the time, like speeding at the town's west entrance, stray dogs and vandalism, that convinced Vogel she was the best fit among four applicants for the police chief position. The city council agreed. "We have been fortunate to keep her for 20 years," Vogel said. "That's a long time for a small town police chief." During her time as mayor, Vogel said she and Whiteley didn't have many problems. And if they did, they would sit and talk them out. "She was firm," Vogel said. "There was no question about how she felt. She'd give you a straight answer; you might not like the answer, but she'd give you a straight answer." Whiteley said her job has been more community policing than law enforcement, which means she gets involved with a lot of different aspects of people's lives. "Community policing is about being invested in the community, getting out of your car and talking to people," she said. Talking is something she does with people of all ages, but she's made it a point to get involved with Troy's children early. Whiteley has visited all school class levels and drivers' and hunters' safety classes, and she's avoided putting kids in juvenile detention for minor first offenses. Whiteley said she's not a bleeding heart, but she is a mother of four, grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of two who believes in giving children a chance and letting them know she's got an eye on them. That typically just involves a stern talking to. "The nice thing about being a part of the community is ... if you go to the parents of the juvenile and they don't assist you, then you typically know who the grandparents are," she said. Troy Mayor Kenneth Whitney Jr., along with Troy's city council, have received 12 applications in the search for Whiteley's replacement. They are in the interview process now, and Whitney said he hopes the city finds someone for the job with the type of approach Whiteley has shown over the past two decades. "I'm definitely going to miss her. She's got a passion for Troy people and the city," Whitney said. "Every time there is a new baby born in Troy, Kt makes a blanket and gives it to the baby. She's just got a hometown type about her." Whoever takes her place, Whiteley said, needs to be a people person, polite, fair, community-invested and not too old or too young. He or she can learn how to write tickets and investigate traffic violations. Whitney said Troy isn't looking for someone who will come in and throw their weight around, but instead be a part of the community -- just like Whiteley always has. "She was tough when she needed to be," Whitney said, "but she had a heart of gold." Rudd may be contacted at [email protected] or (208) 791-8465. ___ (c)2013 the Lewiston Tribune (Lewiston, Idaho) Visit the Lewiston Tribune (Lewiston, Idaho) at www.lmtribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]