Hayden Lake seeks new police chief

The city of Hayden Lake is seeking a new police chief as of Tuesday when city clerk Tina West posted the position on Indeed.

The city cannot comment on current Police Chief Ron Pumphrey’s circumstances, West said, but she was directed to post the listing. 

Pumphrey was placed on administrative leave in August following a directive to enforce the 25 mph speed limit within Hayden Lake. Pumphrey distributed an email objecting to the directive and was placed on leave shortly thereafter. 

Pumphrey is the city’s only police officer so the city has been covered by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office for crimes in progress, Mayor Jim Ackerman said when Pumphrey was placed on leave. 

The police chief was hired June 27, according to his contract, and began patrolling the city a month later. He was placed on leave the following month.

Because it’s an ongoing legal matter, neither the mayor nor the council can discuss the details, city attorney Pete Bredeson said citing Idaho code 74-106.