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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Coeur d’Alene narrows police chief search to 2

Coeur d’Alene has narrowed its search for a new police chief to two candidates. The finalists are Gary Jensen, chief of police in Logan, Utah, and Lee White, assistant police chief in Mesa, Arizona. Both men have visited the city and will be interviewed later this month by a selection committee formed earlier this year by Mayor Steve Widmyer. “I’m very pleased that we have two highly qualified individuals who are eager to continue their careers in Coeur d’Alene,” Widmyer said in a news release. “I believe either of these experienced law enforcement officers would do a great job leading our police department.” During his 21-year police career, White has worked in or supervised nearly every area of police work, making his way through the ranks of the Mesa Police Department from patrol officer to assistant chief. He oversees the department’s $157 million budget and is responsible for members of the investigations bureau. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University. Jensen began his career in 1987 as a deputy sheriff in Utah. As Logan’s police chief he is responsible for budgets totaling over $10 million and oversees a department of 116 people. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice from Weber State University. Residents will have a chance to meet the candidates during their visits. The city hopes to have the position filled in September. Wayne Longo retired as Coeur d’Alene’s police chief last fall. The city named Cpt. Ron Clark as interim chief.