COEUR d’ALENE— The Coeur d'Alene City Council voted 4-2 on Tuesday to approve Greg Yeager as the next police chief during a tense meeting marked by public outcry, sharp disagreements and a clash between Mayor Dan Gookin and City Attorney Randy Adams. 

Yeager will assume the role of police chief upon his acceptance of the offer.

Amy Evans, Kenny Gabriel, Dan Sheckler and Kiki Miller voted aye, with Christie Wood and Dan English voting no. 

Police and community members showed up in large numbers for the City Council meeting to voice their support for candidate and current interim chief Dave Hagar. 

Former police chief Lee White, Rathdrum Police Chief Daniel Haley and president of the Coeur d’Alene Police Association Don Craft spoke in Hagar’s favor. 

A heated moment came when Gookin addressed the public after Adams disagreed with Gookin’s interpretation of Idaho law. 

Gookin said Idaho law supports his appointment of the position of police chief, which then would face council approval. 

Adams disagreed.

"It is the opinion of the legal department of the city of Coeur d’Alene that a police chief cannot be appointed by the mayor and such an appointment would be in violation of the city’s own adopted policy and also that the method of appointing a department head is not supported by state law," he said.

Gookin said he believed Adams was trying to undermine his mayoral authority. 

“He never gave me advice, he vetoed me,” said Gookin, “I have that authority by statute, he is using a resolution, a personnel rule, to tell me that I lack authority.”

Gookin said he sought private counsel, outside of the city attorney’s office, because of this disagreement. 

“I have no faith in the city attorney, not to advise me as the mayor,” he said. 

Gookin said it was his opinion that the "city attorney and others have poisoned this council and biased them against me and against the police chief."

Adams attempted to interject, but halted when Gookin slammed his gavel onto the table and insisted he not be interrupted.

Gookin then paused to let Adams speak. 

“Do not accuse me of doing something unethical,” Adams said. 

Council President Evans attempted to calm things and asked that the mayor and city attorney return to decorum and reminded them that the council was there to do business.

After more, and calmer, deliberation was had, the council moved to approve the appointment of Hagar to police chief, which failed 2-4. 

English and Wood voted aye, and Evans, Sheckler, Gabriel and Miller voted no. 

The council then moved to vote for Yeager, which passed, which was followed by a mass walkout by community members and police officers who had come to support Hagar. 

Only one person spoke against Hagar, former city attorney Mike Gridley.