Thirty-four applicants vying for police chief of Coeur d’Alene have been whittled to nine. The interview process begins Thursday. 

“We’re looking for a strong leader who can move the department forward and work effectively with the city’s executive team,” said Director of Human Resources Melissa Tosi. “We’re excited to move the recruitment process forward and get the position filled on a full-time basis.” 

Tosi added that of the remaining applicants, interim police chief Dave Hagar is the only one from Idaho. 

“The others are from the western part of the country — the furthest being from Colorado,” she said Friday.

Governmentjobs.com lists the police chief's starting annual salary at $127,732.

Tosi said former police chief Lee White's annual salary maxed out at $179,753. White retired in January after leading the department since 2014.

Hagar joined the Coeur d'Alene Police Department in 2018, coming from Mesa, Ariz., where he had worked with White.

The police chief oversees a department with more than 100 employees and a budget of more than $21 million.

Some of the police chief’s duties, according to a city recruitment packet, include managing and directing programs and activities of the Coeur d’Alene Police Department; determining and implementing department programs, policies, and processes; and conducting long-term planning in support of the city's strategic plan. 

The minimum requirements listed in the job posting include a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, law enforcement or related field with a master’s degree preferred; 10 years of progressively responsible experience in local law enforcement and crime prevention; and three years or more of experience in a command position with management and supervisory responsibility.