BFPD hires new officer
—Photo by KENNY RUNYAN<br>Officer Dave McClelland, 42, sits in his police cruiser outside City Hall, waiting to get back to work, Jan. 30, 2007.
By KATHY NUSSBERGER
Managing Editor
Bonners Ferry Police Chief, Dave Kramer, announced the department has hired a new city police officer. Dave McClelland, 42, nick-named "Mack," is just what the City needed to bring the department back to "full strength."
McClelland has lived approximately 14 years in Bonner and Boundary counties, with approximately 11-12 years in law enforcement. He attained a combination of certifications, including environmental crimes investigations through the federal law enforcement training center in Glyco, Ga.
McClelland also trained as an emergency medical technician for disaster emergency management certification/intermediate, incident command, clandestine lab certification, hazardous materials technician, mobile drug interdiction, and spent several years as a search and rescue team leader.
"I have a multitude of law enforcement certifications as well as being certified as a firefighter 1," McClelland said. "I love living in this great community and enjoying the abundance of wilderness and outdoor opportunities available. I'm at home here in Boundary County; I'm just a country boy at heart."
McClelland, who began about three weeks ago with the police department, bought a house and officially moved to Boundary County about a week ago with his significant other, Bridget Brooks.
Kramer said with McClelland joining the police force, his department is finally back to full strength for the first time since August 2006.
"We now have the manpower to provide even better community protection," Kramer said. "Thirty years ago, we only had six officers providing 24/7 coverage and patrolling a much smaller area. Today we have six officers patrolling a much larger area as well as an increase in crime, so we have added two more including our narcotics, and DARE officers, which was made available through community support and grants. In addition to our 6 full-time officers and 2 part-time officers, we also have one K-9 officer," Kramer added.
Kramer added that the department looks forward to the contributions of expertise and support McClelland will provide to this community, now and in the future.
"Mack recently purchased a home in Boundary County and wants to get more familiar with the area," Kramer added. "We want the community to approach him as a community member and just make a good attempt to get to know him. He fits in with our team, and he works well with his fellow employees and the community."