The Idaho State Police will promote Bonners Ferry native Brian Zimmerman to captain in a Friday ceremony in Boise.

Zimmerman began his law enforcement career as a reserve officer in the Bonners Ferry Police Department in 1981, and was promoted to a full-time officer a year later.

After three years with the department, he was hired as a corporal in the Idaho State Police, spending three years on patrol in Kootenai County before returning to Bonners Ferry, where he kept local roads safe for 17 years.

On Oct. 3, 2005, he was promoted to sergeant and moved south to Pocatello, and on Nov., 7 he was promoted to lieutenant and moved to Boise, where he worked in Region 3 patrol.

“Brian has done a great job for us as a lieutenant in Region 3 Patrol, and I'm confident he'll do an excellent job in his new responsibilities as a headquarters captain,” said ISP Captain Steve Richardson.

“While his law enforcement career with the Idaho State Police has been varied in locations and specific responsibilities, he has always distinguished himself as a consummate professional and an outstanding ambassador for ISP while serving the citizens of Idaho.”

Zimmerman will be involved with ISP training, the executive protection program, and security at the state capitol and the Supreme Court.

While it took a while to get used to the faster pace of south Idaho, he said he's “having a blast.”

“It took a little time to warm up to all the traffic and all the people,” he said.

“It seems like there are 650,000 people, all trying to get to the same place at the same time. But I'm having a blast, and have great people to work with. And the fishing is unbelievable!”

  “He's very deserving of this promotion,” said former Bonners Ferry Police Chief Dave Kramer, who got Zimmerman started in law enforcement. “He's well thought of throughout the state and has a lot of experience. I enjoyed the years we worked together.”