Coeur d’Alene Tribe names new police chief

The Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police Department has a new police chief.

Sam Abrahamson, an enrolled member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, has been a police officer with the department for the past 16 years, including the past six years as a detective.

“Sam has dedicated his entire law enforcement career to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and to the community on and around the reservation,” Coeur d’Alene Tribe Chairman Chief Allan said Monday in a news release. “He has a deep understanding of our local and regional issues and we are excited to have him as our new police chief.”

Abrahamson’s first day as chief begins Tuesday. His predecessor, Cody SiJohn, chief since early 2012, is joining the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a criminal investigator in the Pacific Northwest region.