GREAT FALLS – The Montana Public Safety Officer Standards & Training Council (POST) Case Status Committee has voted to revoke Cascade County Sheriff Bob Edwards police and coroner certificates.
In June of 2017, Edwards was attending a law enforcement conference in Helena when he and his girlfriend got into a loud argument in their hotel room. He was charged with misdemeanor assault but later entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with Helena City Attorney Thomas Jodoin.
The committee stated during a February hearing that alcohol, a physical altercation, and a gun were all factors in the incident between Edwards and his girlfriend.
The committee gave Edwards 30 days to surrender his certification. He made a counter-offer of probation for six months starting in June 2017.
According to Cascade County Attorney Josh Racki, there is no legal requirement for a sheriff to be POST-certified. Racki also said that once elected, a sheriff must complete a basic coroner course.
Before the hearing, MTN News spoke to Edwards.
"Depending on how the outcome is, I have a right to a hearing. After the hearing, I can always appeal it to a District Court but that’s depending on how it is. But I am prepared to do anything I can,” he said.
After the revocation decision was made, Edwards told MTN News: "All I have asked is for them to be fair and consistent, and I feel they have done neither. I will not drop out of the race. I have a lot of support and I will keep doing my job."
Edwards announced in March that he will run for his third term as sheriff as a Democrat. He has at least three opponents so far.
The revocation of Edwards’ certificates will be official once the director signs the paperwork.
