Pocatello Searches For New Police Chief

The City of Pocatello is in the middle of a nationwide search for a new police chief.

It seems the prospect of becoming Pocatello’s next police chief is pretty popular.

“There’s been 37 applicants, all the way from New York, to Florida, to Washington state,? Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said.

J.R. Miller retired as Chief of Police in October, and since then Michael Stayner has served in the interim.

Blad said he’s hoping the next chief will come from inside the department.

He’s encouraged eight officers to throw their hats in the ring.

“We’ve got a great police department, and I actually asked and pushed for there to be applicants,? Blad said.

But it all comes down to who’s qualified.

Randy Severe is the Police Chief of nearby Chubbuck. He said the chief has a big influence on the department.

“The entire department will reflect the personality, I believe, of the administration,? Severe said.

One qualification the mayor said he has in mind, is how the candidates can manage money.

“You could have the best police chief in the world, and be the best crime analyst. I mean, he could be the best at everything, but if you can’t budget, you’re in trouble,? Blad said.

Severe said the next chief will need to bring in some new ideas, but he or she shouldn’t rush into making changes.

“Come in and sit down, be flexible, be quiet, listen to what’s going on, and listen to the top commanders who’ve been there a while,? Severe said.

The mayor said the city hopes to have a new Chief of Police by June.