BOISE, Idaho — This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
After reviewing 20 prospective candidates to be Boise's next chief of police, the pool has been narrowed down to the three finalists. Panel interviews and two open houses with the final three candidates will be coming later this month.
According to a press release from the mayor’s office, the remaining candidates will be given a tour of Boise, participate in panel interviews and have an opportunity to meet with the public as well as members of the Boise Police Department on July 18 and 19.
The public has been invited to meet the candidates on Thursday, July 18 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Boise Train Depot. The open house will start with questions from the recruiting firm that has been employed to assist with filling the chief of police position. The public will then be able to speak with candidates “informally,” the release said.
OVERVIEW OF THE CANDIDATES
Jeffrey Bert currently serves as the chief of police in Tomball, Texas. Bert’s prior experience includes serving as the interim assistant city manager for Tomball and serving for 24 years with the Los Angeles Police Department. His work included patrol, investigations, narcotics and youth programs, according to the Tomball government website.
Chris Dennison is the assistant chief of police for the Tucson Police Department in Arizona. Dennison has served with the Tucson Police Department for 20 years, first joining the force in 2004. Dennison currently oversees the department’s investigative services bureau, which includes Central Investigations Division, Counter Narcotics Alliance and the Forensics division, the release said.
Tom Worthy, a Pullman, Washington, native, is the current police chief of The Dalles, Oregon, a position he has filled since April 2021. Worthy’s experience includes more than a decade with the Oregon State Police and 15 years as a trooper and patrol sergeant, the release said.
RUNDOWN OF POLICE CHIEF REPLACEMENT EFFORT
The announcement from the city comes after successive, short-lived police chief tenures in Boise.
Joining the Boise Police Department in 2020, former police chief Ryan Lee resigned from the position in September 2022, following internal complaints from the department. Before joining the Boise Police Department, Lee had served as the assistant chief of police for the Portland Police Bureau.
Current Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar took over the position in May 2023, following Lee’s resignation. Winegar announced he would be retiring in September of this year, after serving the department for 29 years. Winegar had served as the interim police chief twice, including when Lee had resigned from the position in 2022.
The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press, read more on IdahoPress.com.
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