December 2, 2009 in Idaho

Idaho’s top police trainer fired, no reason given

Associated Press
 
Tags:Idaho State PoliceJeff BlackPeace Officers Standards and Training AcademySteven Raschke

BOISE — The head of Idaho’s law enforcement training academy was fired last month after being placed on administrative leave due to an undisclosed personnel action.

Jeff Black, executive director of the Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy in Meridian, was fired on Nov. 5.

The state didn’t confirm his dismissal publicly until The Associated Press inquired on Wednesday morning.

Black had led the academy located just west of Boise since August 2006.

Black had previously been an officer with the Idaho State Police for more than two decades.

Steven Raschke, interim director of the academy, declined to give the reason for Black’s firing, saying personnel matters were confidential.

Black, who collected his annual salary of $89,440 after being placed on leave on Sept. 29, didn’t return a phone call seeking comment.

But he’s appealing his dismissal to the Idaho Personnel Commission.

© Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Five comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • Fixer on December 02 at 2:00 p.m.

    I’m appalled that the state of Idaho would even consider such a thing. Accountability among law enforcement personnel is not something we need at this point. It’s hard enough for cops to stay above the law without others trying to drag them down. Imagine how difficult it would be for Spokane PD to protect us from the innocent if they were constantly held accountable for their actions.

    Idaho is setting a dangerous precedent. They should reinstate Mr. Black immediately.

  • Orange on December 02 at 3:19 p.m.

    @ Fixer: You’re an idiot!

  • Fixer on December 02 at 3:32 p.m.

    I don’t feel like an idiot…

  • Megan_B on December 02 at 3:35 p.m.

    Uh… I’m pretty sure that Fixer is being sarcastic. “…protect us form the innocent”? Solid reading comprehension should allow one to detect these things. Unless Fixer has terrible writing skills and really did mean what he/she posted in a literal sense. But I doubt it.

  • Fuschia on December 02 at 3:53 p.m.

    “personnel matters were confidential”. As long as its tax payer dollars, then nothing should be confidential except for their personal information.

    Its another way the government avoids accountability.

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