Alonzo named police chief

Bonners Ferry City Council on Tuesday named deputy chief Rick Alonzo as the city’s new police chief.

Alonzo was among 10 to apply for the job. Five of the applicants were from within the city police department.

Alonzo will be sworn in at 4 p.m. today, Aug. 7, at which time he will officially take over as chief.

He could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning.

Alonzo will be paid $50,600 a year to oversee the eight-person department. He will replace Dave Kramer, who retired on Friday after 30 years with the department.

Mayor Dave Anderson recommended Alonzo for the job. City council voted 5-0 on the hiring.

Anderson formed a three-person hiring committee to name a new chief. He said he would’ve never guessed that five in-house officers would apply for the job. Anderson would not name the five applicants.

“I’m absolutely amazed at their qualifications,” Anderson said. “Their professionalism and abilities and training . . . I’m not just saying that as a political statement. My committee felt the same way.”

The decision was tough.

“It’s tough in that all five are so highly qualified as well as the out-of-town (applicant),” Anderson said.