COEUR d'ALENE - The search for Coeur d'Alene's next chief of police has been narrowed to 11 finalists.

The city received 85 applications for the position from 25 states and Canada. The search committee will meet Monday to further discuss the candidates, said city spokesman Keith Erickson.

"They hope to narrow it down to four or five top finalists," Erickson said. "Those finalists will be brought in for an interview."

Erickson told the Press Wednesday he could not comment on whether or not any of the 11 finalists are from the North Idaho region because of "personnel issues."

The 14-member search committee is spearheaded by Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer and includes two representatives of the Coeur d'Alene Police Officers 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 and Sheriff Ben Wolfinger.