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St. Maries searching for new police chief

| March 17, 2021 1:00 AM

St. Maries is looking for someone to oversee a department it doesn't even have.

At least, not yet.

The city of about 3,000 people plans to hire a police chief ​"with a high degree of initiative in order to instill and develop a police department from the ground up."

The pay is $26.50 an hour plus benefits.

"We are seeking a highly-motivated individual that will be responsible for creating a police department that currently does not exist," according to the job posting in The Press.

The city has been without a police force for years and contracted with the Benewah County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement. Under the contract, the city pays $303,086.04 per year to the sheriff’s office for city law enforcement and dispatch services, according to the St. Maries Gazette.

In December, the St. Maries City Council voted to end its contract with the BCSO. The contract ends in June.

The city hopes to have a new police chief on board in May or June.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in law enforcement and have the interpersonal skills to work "seamlessly" with the BCSO and all county employees and officials.

They will also reside within 10 miles of the city limits "to ensure timely response in the event of an urgent matter."

Applications are due by March 31.

Info: kgibson@cityofstmaries.org