NI POST Too Pricey For St. Maries

When St. Maries Police chief Fred Cruzan sends an officer to the police academy for certification in October, the officer will drive 8 hours to the state’s Meridian academy instead of the 50-minute drive to attend the academy in Coeur d’Alene. Although it is less than an hour away, the Coeur d’Alene Police Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Academy is too expensive, said Chief Cruzan. The state-run Coeur d’Alene academy costs between $1,200 and $1,500 per officer, but officers can train free at the Meridian academy. Benewah County Sheriff Robert Kirts won’t send his officers to Coeur d’Alene either. “I can’t afford $1,200 per hit,” said the sheriff/ Ralph Bartholdt , St. Maries Gazette-Record. More here .

Question: Despite the higher cost, do you think it’s still a good thing overall to have a POST academy in North Idaho?