Idaho State Police Director William Gardner addresses Senate committee on staffing and collaboration

Colonel William Gardner appeared before the Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee to introduce himself and outline priorities for the Idaho State Police. Gardner — who described a 26-year career with the agency and recent service as a deputy director and rules review officer — emphasized interagency cooperation and the need to address recruitment and retention.

“I say that we are a resource for other agencies,” Gardner told the committee, adding that state police must be ready to support sheriffs and municipal departments during emergencies. He described managing multiple dispatch centers and district operations during his career and noted that growth in the state’s population has created “big-city problems” that agencies must plan to meet.

On staffing, Gardner told senators Northern Idaho numbers are “extremely diminished,” and that the agency has lost troopers to other departments. “Pay is an issue,” he said, describing recruitment and retention as a top concern and noting a staffed team was convened the day he took over to pursue solutions. Committee members asked about capacity and next steps; Gardner said the department is preparing solutions for the upcoming session. The committee did not take a confirmation vote at the meeting and expected to vote at a later date.