Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council outlines final‑round process for hiring new police chief; staff to hold public and staff open houses
Summary
Council and staff described a multi‑step hiring process for a new police chief: initial panel interviews, second‑round interviews, staff and public open houses, background checks (30–45 days if done by sheriff), polygraph and psychological testing, then mayoral appointment subject to council confirmation.
Rathdrum staff updated council on the new police chief hiring process on July 9. The city received 11 applications and conducted six first‑round interviews; a subset of four candidates advanced to second‑round interviews.
Staff described the next steps: a staff‑only open house so department employees can meet finalists, a public open house to gather community input, and then background checks and testing for finalists. Staff said the sheriff’s office had offered to perform background checks free of charge but that the sheriff estimated 30–45 days to complete a candidate background check; a private third‑party check is an alternative but would cost money. The process also includes polygraph testing and a psychological review before an appointment is finalized. The mayor will make a conditional appointment, and the council will be asked to confirm the mayor’s selection.
Council asked for one councilmember to represent the council on the final interview panel; the mayor said the council will place a nomination/selection of a council representative on a future meeting agenda to avoid open‑meeting‑law risks. City attorney Emily advised that more than one councilmember on an interview panel could trigger open‑meeting‑law requirements, because two or more councilmembers deliberating about a decision is considered a public meeting under Idaho law.
Staff asked for guidance on how many finalists should proceed to background checks; council favored running checks on top candidates only to limit time and expense. Staff reiterated that the department wants a transparent process and that the mayor will be involved in each step.
