Chief Coker permanently relocated to Libby, his wife's hometown, in 1994. He is formerly a native of Texas and a 1981 graduate of R. L. Turner High School. Coker is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a 1987 graduate of the East Texas Police Academy. He is married and has six children. Coker's past law enforcement experience includes service with the Paris, Texas Police Department, the Lamar County, Texas Sheriff's Office, and locally with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. He has been employed as Chief of Police with the Libby Police Department since July of 1996. Chief Coker served as a Police Instructor in 2000 with the U.N. mission in Kosovo. Coker is a certified Police Ethics Instructor with the National Institute of Ethics and is the current State Chapter Director of the International Association of Ethics Trainers. Chief Coker has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Chief Coker instructs Police Ethics at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. He is a member of the Professional Standards and Integrity Committee of the Montana Public Safety Officers Standards and Training (POST) Council and an Executive Board Member of the Montana Association of Chiefs of Police. Chief Coker holds the following department commendations: Patriot Award, Combat Cross, Gallantry Star, Wounded in Combat, Combat Action (3rd Award), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Unit Citation, Good Conduct, Educational Achievement, U.N. Medal. Chief Coker has a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and holds the following POST certifications: Texas- Basic Certification. Montana- Basic Certification, Intermediate Certification, Advanced Certification, Supervisory Certification, Command Certification, Administrative Certification, Proctor Certification, Multiple Instructor Certifications.
Sergeant Smith is a native of Nevada and worked there as a deputy sheriff with the Humbolt County Sheriff's Office. Smith is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a 1991 graduate of the Nevada Police Academy. Smith has been employed with the Libby Police Department since July of 2004. Sergeant Smith holds the following department commendations: Patriot Award; Promotion of Grade; Good Conduct. Smith holds the following POST certifications: Nevada- Basic Certification. Montana- Basic Certification, Intermediate Certification, Avanced Certification, Instructor Certification.
The Libby Police Department is a member of and does its hiring throught the Montana Law Enforcement Testing Consortium