SPIRIT LAKE - Keith Hutcheson will have a job lined up when he returns from Iraq.

Hutcheson, who formerly worked for the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office and as police chief for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, has been named Spirit Lake's new police chief.

"I'm excited, honored and humbled," said Hutcheson, who returns to Iraq on Friday for the remaining six weeks of his contract as an independent contractor who works with bomb-detection dogs that protect the U.S. Embassy.

Hutcheson will start at Spirit Lake in early March. He replaces Gene Marquez, who resigned the morning after November's city election, after 11 months on the job.

Twelve candidates applied for the Spirit Lake chief position and four were interviewed.

"He has quality experience and is really familiar with Idaho laws," said Mayor Todd Clary of why Hutcheson was chosen. "He has all the qualifications that we're looking for. We'll be excited to have him on board."

Hutcheson has been working in Iraq since February.

"Spirit Lake will be a good transition for me," said Hutcheson, who lives in Post Falls. "I'm looking forward to coming back."

Hutcheson said he plans to meet with city staff and community members before exploring any changes for the police department.

Hutcheson's wife Lisa has been filling in for him as a Kootenai County Fire and Rescue commissioner while he's working in Iraq.

Hutcheson ran for Kootenai County sheriff in 2012, but was defeated by Ben Wolfinger. He was the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's police chief from 2005 to 2011 and worked for the KCSO from 1997 to 2005.

Hutcheson also worked for the Benewah County Sheriff's Office and as a firefighter in the Washington, D.C., area. He has had two unsuccessful bids for Post Falls City Council and formerly served on the Post Falls Parks and Recreation Commission.