COEUR d'ALENE - Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer has picked a 13-member selection committee to hire the city's new police chief, a group which includes former mayoral candidate Mary Souza.

"We had a talk after the election and I told her that if she ever wanted to get involved with the city to let me know," Widmyer said, adding Souza sent him an email recently asking to be a part of the selection committee.

Souza will join two representatives of the city policeman's association, Fire Chief Kenny Gabriel, City Administrator Wendy Gabriel, Wes Sommerton from the city's legal department, City Councilman Ron Edinger, City Councilman Dan Gookin, former FBI Agent Wayne Manis, retired Undersheriff Tad Leach, Sheriff Ben Wolfinger and Mayor Widmyer.

"The only other position is a citizen-at-large spot, but I haven't filled that yet," Widmyer said. "If someone is interested in that position, they should send in a letter telling us why they want to be a part of it."

Widmyer said the committee will conduct a nationwide search for candidates, with a regional focus, but the process for conducting that search will be decided by the committee, which may start meeting as early as next week.

"If we start in February, we are hoping to have a decision in a couple of months," he said. "We certainly hope to have someone later this spring."

The mayor said the committee will also decide on the selection criteria, and then solicit applications from potential chiefs.