City hires new police chief/council will make final decision Feb. 13

A new Bonners Ferry Police Chief has been chosen to replace former chief Rick Alonzo.

For the first time in at least 50 years someone from out of  the department and out of the area was chosen for chief.

The chief position was offered to Staff Sergeant Steve Benkula of Twin Falls Police Department who chosen out of four applicants.

Of the four applicants, there were two local men: Acting police chief Joel Minor who has been with BFPD for 13 years and former BFPD reserve officer Randy Tremble who now serves the Bonners Ferry Fire Department.

Minor has been acting chief since Alonzo completed his last day on Dec. 31, 2011.

People seeking employment in any city department must go through the same process even if they are already employed with the city applying for a different position. 

The applications were reviewed by the mayor and the applicants are then chosen for interviews. The city council then voted made on whether to hire or not hire a specific applicant. The selection is made by a majority vote.

The decision whether or not to appoint Benkula to chief was put to a vote before Bonners Ferry City Council members Tuesday.

During this meeting city council member and former chief Rick Alonzo said Benkula did not meet the advertisement qualifications for the position, said Kris Larson, city clerk/treasurer.

Alonzo said the advertisement clearly stated the applicant must have at least three years experience as a lieutenant. Benkula is a staff sergeant.

The city attorney said the motion can be reworded in order for Benkula to fit the criteria, according to Larson.

The issue was tabled and a special meeting will be held at 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 13, for the appointment of police chief.

Bonners Ferry Mayor Dave Anderson said he does not have unilateral authority and the hiring of Benkula is contingent on how city council votes.

Anderson said he was confident that council would vote for the hiring of Benkula. 

“I do not want to down play Minor’s experience or accomplishments,” said Anderson.  “Joel is an absolutely wonderful police officer.”

Anderson said all four applicants were very capable and credible and there were no specific job related reasons to not choose the current acting chief.

He did admit that Minor had more experience than Benkula but that was not a factor in the decision.

“His (Benkula’s) experience is a little less than Joel’s and they both had very good resumes,” said  Anderson. “There is no such thing as ascension in the city police department, it is not automatic (to be moved up in ranks).”

Anderson said the consensus was that Benkula was a better fit for what the city needs at the moment.

If Benkula is appointed as chief, Anderson said Minor will go back to his being deputy chief of police.

“Deputy chief is a decision of the chief. He has more experience than anyone in the department to re-assume that position and my wild guess is that he will be deputy chief,” Anderson said.

Anderson Larson and Bonners Ferry Council President Mike Klaus conducted the interviews. 

Anderson said the decision to hire Benkula was unanimous and made by himself, Larson and Stephen Boorman, city manager who did not participate in the interviews.

On Monday, if city council appoints Benkula as chief he is expected to start in early March.