Boise is facing another significant challenge as it searches for a new police chief. Current Chief Ron Winegar is set to retire in a few months, presenting Boise Mayor Lauren McLean with a critical opportunity to restore confidence in her leadership. However, the city’s previous experience with her hiring decisions raises concerns.
Mayor McLean’s first hire for the police chief position was from Portland, Oregon, a choice that proved highly controversial and ultimately detrimental to the Boise Police Department. The former chief’s tenure was marred by massive turnover, including the departure of most of the command structure. This instability led to several lawsuits against the city, with allegations of abuse and mismanagement further eroding trust within the department and the broader community.
Despite these issues, Mayor McLean was reelected, which some see as a testament to her resilience, while others view it as a sign of ongoing divisions within Boise. Her administration has been criticized for poor morale and perceived incompetence, particularly in how it handled the police department’s leadership crisis.
A notable incident during McLean’s tenure was her decision to spend nearly a million dollars on an investigation into allegations of racism within the Boise Police Department. This investigation culminated in a press conference where the mayor urged officers to leave if they were racist, a move that many saw as a severe lack of presumption of innocence. This action further strained the relationship between the mayor’s office and the police department, creating a trust deficit that persists to this day.
As Boise embarks on the search for a new police chief, there is a significant debate about the mayor’s approach to the selection process. Critics argue that Mayor McLean should prioritize internal candidates to rebuild trust and morale within the Boise PD. However, her decision to look outside the state for candidates suggests a lack of confidence in the capabilities of local law enforcement officers.
The three candidates currently under consideration all come from out of state: Jeffrey Bert from Tomball, Texas; Chris Dennison from Tucson, Arizona; and Tom Worthy from The Dalles, Oregon. Jeffrey Bert, who serves as Chief of Police in Tomball, also has experience as Interim Assistant City Manager and held several leadership roles in the Los Angeles Police Department.
Chris Dennison, the Tucson Police Department’s assistant chief of police, has been with the department for twenty years and leads Central Investigations, Counter Narcotics Alliance, and Forensics. Tom Worthy, the Chief of Police in The Dalles, has over a decade of experience with the Oregon State Police in command positions and fifteen years as a trooper and patrol sergeant.
The decision to consider external candidates exclusively has sparked controversy and disappointment among Boise residents. Many feel that the mayor is overlooking qualified internal candidates who have a deep understanding of the local community and its unique challenges. This approach may further alienate the Boise Police Department’s rank and file, which is already dealing with the fallout from previous leadership turmoil.
The city has scheduled a public interview session for the three candidates on July 18th at the Boise Depot, allowing community members to engage with the prospective chiefs. However, the format of the session, which restricts candidates to prearranged questions, has drawn criticism for lacking transparency and genuine community involvement.
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The search for a new police chief in Boise is not just about finding a qualified candidate; it is also a test of Mayor Lauren McLean’s ability to lead and restore trust in her administration. The outcome of this search will have far-reaching implications for the future of the Boise Police Department and the city’s overall safety and stability.
