Banham: No legitimacy to claims against police chief

Update on Dec. 12.

Plains Mayor Joel Banham stamped out accusations against the town’s police chief after his creditability was questioned at Monday’s Town Council meeting. 

The hearing turned contentious when Plains business owner Matthew Jaramillo levied the allegations against Plains Police Chief Brian Josephson, claiming the chief had misused his authority.

He presented the council with an investigation conducted by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry's Employment Standards Division Human Right Bureau regarding claims of discrimination against a former officer. Jaramillo said the investigation "paints a deeply troubling picture of misconduct, abuse of power and actions that undermine the trust and integrity required by this position."

Jaramillo also submitted email communications between Josephson and James Russell, the Plains-Paradise Rural Fire District fire chief.

Clark Fork River Radio owner Raf Viniard also spoke in public comment.

“We get radio callers calling in asking what’s going on,” he said during public comment.  

“What is the city doing to address these types of allegations against the police chief and possibly [the mayor]? Where does the city stand on this whole matter?” 

Banham said he would not continue the discussion in public, but said Viniard could talk with him in private. 

“If you would like to sit with me some time, I would be glad fill you in on that,” Banham said. 

Banhama later responded that there is no legitimacy to the claims, adding that it was investigated by “proper authorities” and “resolved among the parties involved.” 

“There are generally personal motivations behind accusations against law enforcement officers,” Banham said. “It is one of the many challenges and difficulties of being a police officer. 

“The town of Plains does not choose a public forum to make accusations against the citizens or employees. Any concerns of the public are referred to a council member, the mayor, or the police commission, all of which have confidence that the chief of police is fulfilling his duties with integrity.” 

THE DECEMBER meeting started out with the treasurer, claims and payroll reports being accepted by the council. The judges report showed that the town collected $6,358 during October.  

In that same month, 111 active warrants, 53 pending cases, and 19 new cases. The Plains police department issued 71 citations in November for various offences and made four arrests.  

Renovations of the town fire hall will begin the week of Dec. 9. 

Interviews for a position with the Plains Public Works Department are taking place this week. The town received 11 applications for the open position.  

A public meeting will be held in January concerning the Lewellen Street subdivision.  

Banham discussed possible new ordinances that would affect new businesses that come to Plains. Ward 3 seat 2 Councilman John Roesler said he was compiling paperwork on some of those types of business.  

“I think it is something we want to get ahead of,” Roesler said.   

The town is looking at applying for several grants to help finance a few larger projects. These specific grants require community involvement to qualify.         

Local resident Curt Alexander was appointed to the Plains planning board.

Corrections: Matthew Jaramillo submitted documents to the council regarding his claims, as noted in this updated story. Raf Viniard owns Clark Fork River Radio and is not associated with Big Sky Networks.