Post Falls police chief search goes on

The interim police chief for Post Falls is reportedly on administrative leave, but the city isn't saying.

When asked whether the interim chief or any candidates for police chief had been placed on leave, Deputy City Administrator Warren Wilson declined to comment, stating that the city can’t discuss personnel matters under public records laws.     

"I can’t confirm whether someone is on leave or not on leave and I can't confirm or deny the reasons they might be on leave," Wilson said. "We just don’t talk about those things until there’s a conclusion, if there’s a conclusion that can be reached."

After six months of the position remaining open, the search for the next chief of police for the Post Falls Police Department continues. A records request indicates there were only two final candidates: Capt. Jason Mealer and Stu Miller, formerly of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office.

Mealer has served as interim chief of police since Greg McLean retired Oct. 18.

During the March 17 council meeting, council members went into executive session.

“We had an executive session to talk about hiring and firing at the last meeting. I can’t talk about what was discussed there, but that conversation is going to be continued at the next meeting,” Wilson said. 

Wilson said he could not elaborate on the hiring process but said the council should be closer to a decision Tuesday, April 7.   

“We’ll have a better idea of where we’re going to end up and where the council wants to go,” Wilson said.