The City of Lander is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Waugh as the City’s new Police Chief. Chief Waugh was officially sworn in at the Lander City Council meeting on February 10, 2026, after serving as Interim Chief since April 2025. He has been with the Lander Police Department since December 2023 and brings nearly 20 years of law enforcement experience to the role.
As Chief, Waugh is focused on strengthening community relationships, enhancing professional standards, and preparing the department for the future.
“One of my top priorities is building strong relationships between our department and the community we serve,” said Chief Waugh. “We want our officers visible, engaged, and actively involved in Lander while providing safety education and support to residents and businesses.”
In 2026, Chief Waugh plans to launch a six-week Citizen Police Academy to give residents greater insight into department operations and foster transparency and trust.
Internally, Waugh is prioritizing clear procedures, improved processes, and succession planning as the department works toward maintaining high standards and pursuing CALEA accreditation.
Training remains central to the department’s mission. Officers participate in online legal training through Daigle Law Group, supplemented with real-life scenario-based training and review of past incidents to identify opportunities for improvement. The department is also leveraging the expertise of its subject matter specialists and strengthening records management with the support of a new administrative assistant.
The department is currently hiring a Police Captain to fill the vacancy created by Waugh’s promotion. Once filled, the department will be fully staffed.
“I’m honored to serve the City of Lander and look forward to continuing to build a department our residents can be proud of,” Waugh said.
The City of Lander congratulates Chief Kelly Waugh on his appointment and looks forward to the continued growth and success of the Lander Police Department under his leadership.