Detention Officer Appreciation Week - Questionnaire Responses
Initials Legend:
WS: Chief Detention Officer Smith, BS: Chief Detention Officer Schaible, BC: Officer Brittney Colacino, CI: Officer Chris Inabnit, DW: Corporal Dominick Wegner, KW: Officer Kenyon Willcut, COH: Officer O'Hern
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1. Name and title
WS: Chief Detention Officer Smith
BS: Chief Detention Officer Schaible
BC: Officer Colacino - Detention Officer
CI: Officer Chris Inabnit
DW: Corporal Wegner, D - Detention Corporal
KW: Officer Willcut, K. Detention Officer
COH: Officer O’Hern Transport Officer
2. How long have you worked at the Flathead County Detention Center?
WS: 27 years (28 effective July 1, 2026)!
BS: 2.5 years
BC: I started working in detention in 2021. I took a short break to work in District Court, but I found myself missing the work and the team here. Coming back made it clear that this is truly where I belong.
CI: 9 Years
DW: Sometime between 2 and 3 years.
KW: I have worked for FCDC for just over 3 years.
COH: 8 Years
3. What inspired you to become a detention officer?
WS: An opportunity to come back home and use the skills I learned as a Security Police Officer with the US Air Force
BS: A close friend.
BC: I wanted to become a detention officer because helping people at their lowest moments matters to me. I’m truly interested in listening to people’s stories and understanding the different experiences that shape who they are.
CI: I have been some sort of uniformed service since high school, it just suits me.
DW: Helping people has always been important to me, but I wanted to do it in a way that really matters day by day. The Detention Center gives me the chance to step in during critical moments and make a difference.
KW: I wanted to serve my community in a beneficial way by helping those I see out in our community.
COH: I needed a good paying job (when I first started in lake county it was good paying) and have always wanted to work in law enforcement.
4. What is something people might be surprised to learn about your job?
WS: That you can have an immeasurable impact simply by being kind; our staff is committed to that concept.
BS: This is a Career that you will grow in, Learn your true self, With Promotional opportunities along the way.
BC: A huge part of the job is preventing conflicts, resolving disputes in the pods, and keeping tension low. The best detention officers are masters of communication. We act as mediators, de escalators, counselors, and problem solvers. We must enforce rules and keep the inmates, Officers and the facility safe.
CI: It gave me insight into things which occur in my community that I never would have realized. Things that need to be addressed by law enforcement.
DW: We spend more time with the people that are arrested than the arresting officers and their families may spend. We also spend more time here than we may at home.
KW: The rise in the mental health of individuals in the Flathead County.
COH: I drive almost 60,000 miles a year and get to travel to other states transporting prisoners.
5. What skills make someone a great detention officer?
WS: Being an effective listener, disciplined in your approach, and committed to communication.
BS: Patience & Empathy.
BC: You have to have self-confidence and good communication skills. Be empathetic not sympathetic.
CI: An appreciation of diversity, empathy especially for situations that are unfamiliar and a commitment to selfless service.
DW: Good communication, alert, and attention to detail.
KW: Being able to de-escalate situations and talk people down from the ledge when there at their wits end.
COH: Communication, People Skills and Honestly going and living life for a while before working in law enforcement. (It’s hard to relate to people without having lived your own life.)
6. What is your favorite part of working at the detention center?
WS: The spontaneity of the job, and the bond you form with your co-workers.
BS: The Camaraderie.
BC: The job is a roller coaster, full of ups and downs, and it can definitely take you for a ride. But having a team you can depend on changes everything. The people I work with make the tough days easier and the good days even better—they’re truly my favorite part of the job.
CI: There is a sense of accomplishment when inmates can achieve personal life goals due, in part, to your efforts.
DW: It’s a job that keeps me moving, it is very dynamic and changes quickly. It keeps me thinking both inside and outside the box.
KW: Every day is a new Day, and working with my fellow officers.
COH: My coworkers and the comradery.
7. What do you wish the public understood better about detention officers and the work you do?
WS: Our job is complex and requires a wide range of skills to achieve consistent success.
BS: It is a dangerous career, its hard work, and Communication.
BC: I wish more people understood that detention work isn’t just about enforcing rules; it’s about patience, communication, and showing up every day ready for anything. We see people in vulnerable moments, and our job is to keep everyone safe while treating them with dignity. It’s challenging but meaningful work.
CI: We are more than just “baby sitters” we all complete tasks each day which contribute to inmates well-being, mental health, discipline, knowledge of their own circumstances and how to improve those circumstances.
DW: Most people consider it babysitting. We often help the current inmates get to and from court, as well as the detention center has programs that help those who want to change their current ways.
KW: As a Detention officer our Job is really about safety, professionalism, and respect with the people not just in custody. It takes strong communication skills and quick decision making, and a lot of responsibility to stay level headed while under constant pressure.
COH: Its long hours, you’re going to get hurt sooner or later, you’re going to be exposed to every bodily fluid imaginable and called every name in the book.
8. What are you most looking forward to about the new Public Safety Facility?
WS: Having the space and resources to reduce stress on our staff, effectively meet the needs of our community, and create lasting change for incarcerated individuals that want the same.
BS: Improved Officer Safety, better programming for inmates.
BC: Improved safety for staff and inmates, Better housing options, Reduced overcrowding and more efficient operations.
CI: A facility which is built to improve observation capabilities, which in turn contributes to the safety of both inmates and officers.
DW: I look forward to a safer environment. More space for housing, which provides more space for individuals to come to jail without overcrowding it.
KW: I am most excited to be able to serve the community better with the new facility that was graciously approved by our community.
COH: not having broken everything and Being able to properly house people.
9. What does serving the Flathead County community mean to you?
WS: Serving our community has been a tremendous gift. Having been born and raised here, the Flathead has given me more than I could have dreamed of, and it is an honor to have given something back.
BS: I work in the best County in the state in my opinion, it is a privilege to work for this community.
BC: It means I am able to be there for my community. It gives me a sense of purpose and allows me to help others when it’s needed most. Being a detention officer isn’t about the job title—it’s about the job itself. I am often the first person someone speaks to when they’re in crisis, and I’m proud that I get to be there and support people when they truly need it.
CI: I was born here and other than my 22 years of Military service, I have lived here. It is where I belong and I am proud to do my part to guarantee peace of mind and safety for the community.
DW: Serving the Community is something that means a lot to me, as Flathead County and Montana are a home to me. The members of the community are the foundation of everything we do, and I am dedicated to serving them with integrity and respect.
KW: Being able to Serve the community means putting others first and being accountable for the role I’ve been given as a Detention Officer. It’s about showing up every day for my fellow Officers ready to do the job right, treating people fairly, and helping maintain a safe environment for those around us.
COH: I Like that we are a community that supports law enforcement, loves this state and country.
10. Favorite hobby, activity, or way you unwind outside of work?
WS: Enjoying our local hiking trails, lakes and mountain peaks.
BS: Chickens & Gardening, riding horses.
BC: I like to hike and read books. I consider myself a minimalist and enjoy my quiet time.
CI: My property has been in my family for 5 generations I enjoy taking care of it and improving it, kind of boring, but I take pride in it.
DW: I enjoy the outdoors and getting out of being trapped in a building. Watching sports or going to events. I also enjoy helping the Whitefish VFW when they are doing events.
KW: Some of my favorite hobbies is going on hikes with my dogs and a great way to Unwind is by listening to old Irish music while driving around the North Fork.
COH: Hunting, Fishing and video games.