Bonners chief resigns seat

By LAURA ROADY

Staff writer

BONNERS FERRY — Chief of Police Steve Benkula is resigning from the Bonners Ferry Police Department due to family obligations and medical needs that are difficult to meet in Bonners Ferry.

Benkula is resigning Dec. 6 and is moving to the Treasure Valley, where he has been offered a position with the Idaho Attorney General’s Office.

In a letter to Mayor David Anderson, Benkula said the challenges that the department has faced had no factor in his decision. He has been honored to serve the community and is “proud to have been part of the great City of Bonners Ferry team.”

The Bonners Ferry City Council accepted his resignation with regrets on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

David Kramer was appointed by the City Council and Mayor to serve as interim police chief, while Foster Mayo was appointed the assistant chief while the city looks for a new police chief.

Anderson said the city hopes to have a new police chief within four months.

“We are looking forward to being involved in the city,” said Kramer. “We have a good group here.”

Kramer began working for the Bonners Ferry City Police Department in 1978 as a patrol officer, then as assistant chief and finally as the chief for his last 20 years. After he retired in 2008, he worked for the department part-time when they were short-handed and also taught classes at North Idaho College. Kramer also is the Boundary County Emergency Management Director.

Mayo is a retired sergeant from the Salt Lake City Police Department and has worked for the Bonners Ferry City Department intermittently.