Idaho Falls police chief to move to Brazil

It’s time for a new beginning for a man who’s served the city of Idaho Falls for 31 years. The city’s police chief Steve Roos is retiring.

So what’s the next step for the city of Idaho Falls to find a new chief of police?

Mayor Jared Fuhriman has already found an interim for the chief position, but it’ll be big shoes to fill.

It’s time to say goodbye.

“I just want to take this opportunity to officially announce my retirement,” said Roos.

Chief Roos is retiring at the end of the year after 31 years of service on the Idaho Falls force…five of them being the chief.

“AfterI retire, my wife and I are going to Brazil to teach English for five months,” said Roos.

Chief Roos has always loved being the knight in shining armor as a policeman, helping the Idaho Falls community through his detective work, patrol, and as chief.

Out of his many accomplishments as chief, Roos is known for strengthening the ties among the Mayor, Bonneville County Sheriff Paul Wilde, and the Prosecutor Attorney Bruce Rickett.

“It’s not natural for large egos to get along, so we had to subvert them put them aside for the common good,” said Roos.And from that stance, the city has saved money working on joint projects and keeping the community safer.

So who will be filling the shoes to be the next chief?

“Well, the mayor just caught me in the hall before this announcement for the press release and asked me to be the chief,” said Capt. Mark McBride.

Capt. McBride will be interim chief. He has been the senior captain on the force for 12 years. He is still in shock about the news, but already he has some new goals for the police force to achieve.

“We’re looking for waysfor victims of crime to feel more secure and feel safe,” said Capt. McBride.

But he hasn’t been granted the official position. The mayor will be looking in and out of the department, searching for the right policeman to become the next chief. The mayor will narrow it down to 10 candidates, interview them, and from there present the best candidate to the city council to approve the new chief with a majority vote.

“It’s a big responsibility because now you have to represent the department to the council and the mayor and be more responsible for the community,” said McBride.

And Capt.McBride will be applying for the position and will be doing all he can to show he is ready to be chief.

Due to vacation time, there isn’t an exact date Chief Roos will be stepping down. But he’s projected to finishing out his last day at the end of the year.