A former Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe chief of police, who left to serve nearly 30 years with the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office, has been hired to return to his former post with the tribe.

The Shoalwater Bay Police Department has also purchased a rescue drone, and one of its officers has been certified to operate it, the first officer so certified in Pacific County.

Jim Bergstrom was chief of police for the Shoalwater Bay Tribe from 1984-1988, beginning after he finished his military service with the 25th Military Police Company, 25th Infantry Division at Scofield Barracks on the Island of Oahu. In 1988, he moved to the Pacific County Sheriff’s office and took on the role of Deputy Sheriff. Bergstrom worked at the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office for 30 years in various roles and responsibilities, until he retired in February.

“Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe is a great place and they have a lot to offer the surrounding community,” said Bergstrom. “The tribe has a good nucleus of officers to build programs around. These officers are dedicated to the tribal community.”

Bergstrom has conducted and supervised major crimes investigations, special assignments in patrol, marine patrol, SWAT and narcotics. He has also served as a Law Enforcement Liaison to the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission, according to the tribe.

“It’s great to have Jim back with us. We value his professionalism, open door policy, experience and, of course, his long, positive history with our community,” said Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Chairwoman Charlene Nelson. “Our council is focused on providing Jim interdepartmental support to help him create a safer, more cohesive community.”

Jim believes in strong community-oriented policing, transparency in law enforcement, and leadership development through ongoing community engagement and interaction, the tribe said in a statement announcing his hiring.

“I believe that all police departments must have a good traffic unit that engages with the entirety of their community,” said Bergstrom. “Furthermore, it is critical that we are involved in community events and find positive ways to interact with the tribal youth to strengthen the overall community.”

Rescue drone

The Tribe has also acquired a new waterproof drone containing a flotation device for use in water rescues. The drone was purchased with the help of the Shoalwater Bay Emergency Management Department along with a donation from Willapa Bay Enterprises, the business arm of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.

Shoalwater Bay Tribal Police Officer Christopher Boggs has been certified as an FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot in Pacific County, according to the tribe.

“I am very pleased at the way Boggs has stepped up and taken the reins on this program,” Bergstrom said. “We are also hoping to obtain a second drone in the near future with infrared technology in order to conduct land and forest rescues, if necessary.”

The drone will enable Boggs to locate people and objects in the water and drop a flotation device, as well as survey an area for search and rescue teams. The drone takes approximately one and a half minutes to set up, which could change the outcome of a rescue scenario greatly, as well as cut costs, according to the tribe.

“If I can save one life, it will be worth all the effort,” said Boggs. “It is for the betterment of the tribe and surrounding community as well as Pacific County as a whole.”

The Shoalwater Bay Police Department’s crone program is open to helping Pacific and Grays Harbor county law enforcement and fire and rescue when needed as well, according to the tribe, and also has plans to certify more of their officers as Part 107 pilots.

COURTESY PHOTO Jim Bergstrom has been hired as the new chief of police for the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.

COURTESY PHOTO Shoalwater Bay Tribe Police Officer Christopher Boggs, the first Part 107 certified drone pilot in Pacific County, has taken the reins of the department’s water rescue drone.