Helena Leaders Address Manager Vacancy, Police Immigration Policies

Helena city leaders spent Wednesday night wrestling with municipal continuity and public assurances as they advanced plans to fill the vacant city manager post and a newly opened seat on the city commission, while also taking public comment on police practices involving immigration law.

The open city manager position created by Tim Burton’s resignation drew 63 applications. City officials narrowed that pool to nine semi finalists and three alternates, who will be interviewed via Zoom. As interviews are scheduled the city will set a timeline for final selection. The commission also moved to open applications for the vacant commission seat resulting from Emily Dean’s election as mayor. Applications will open on November 19 and the first round of interviews is slated for mid December.

Beyond personnel moves, a presentation from the Helena Police Department about their operational standards for immigration related matters drew significant attention. Lieutenant Adam Shanks and Chief Brett Petty outlined how the department approaches incidents that intersect with federal immigration enforcement. Lieutenant Shanks said, "Immigration enforcement that is not our role. If we were to participate in any operation they were doing in town, it would solely be for keeping the public safe while the operation is happening." He clarified that HPD does not participate in the 287(g) program, does not enforce ICE administrative warrants and interacts with undocumented individuals like any other Helena resident.

Members of the public asked the commission to codify those practices in a formal resolution, seeking written clarity about how local officers will respond when federal immigration authorities operate in the community. The commission agreed to move forward with drafting a resolution to lay out departmental policies on immigration law compliance.

For local residents the twin developments matter in concrete ways. The selection of a new city manager will shape municipal priorities and daily operations, while the commission appointment will affect local representation early in the new mayoral term. The police presentation and the decision to craft a resolution touch on community trust, public safety and the willingness of residents to report crimes or seek emergency help without fear of immigration consequences.

Helena’s debate mirrors broader national conversations about the division of responsibility between local police and federal immigration agencies, and about how municipal governments reconcile enforcement, civil rights and community cohesion. As the city moves toward interviews and a written policy, residents can expect more detailed timelines from the commission and opportunities for public input on the resolution.