Civil Service Commission moves to proceed with standard lateral hiring for former patrol deputy

The Whitman County Civil Service Commission discussed options to rehire a former patrol deputy on Feb. 23, 2026, and agreed to proceed with the standard Lateral Deputy hiring process rather than immediately using a provisional or temporary appointment.

Brett Myers said "it would work out to go ahead and go through the standard Lateral Deputy hiring process including the exam, background and other testing as required." Commissioners discussed Provisional and Temporary appointments earlier in the meeting; Steve Tomson noted that either appointment route would comply with Civil Service Commission rules but said a Provisional Appointment "would be able to start the position immediately," a point Sheriff Myers had earlier raised in favor of provisional appointment.

Cheri Kramer confirmed the candidate must pass the Lateral Deputy Exam to be eligible for any deputy position and said the individual had already completed and returned the exam; she said she would send the exam to independent graders that afternoon. Brett Myers said, if possible, he would like a start date of April 1, 2026, and Tomson requested that the updated Lateral Eligibility List be sent to him for signature once grading was complete.

The meeting record does not show a formal vote on hiring; the record reflects the commissioners' agreement to proceed with the standard lateral process and follow the standard testing and background steps. The commission approved other routine business and adjourned the meeting at 12:23 p.m.