5 Questions w/Police Chief Lee White

Huckleberries Online — How diligent is the CPD in patroling Tubbs Hill?
Lee White — We are as diligent as we can be given our staffing levels. Over past 2 months, we have had 48 calls for service (19 fire related, 6 suspicious, as well as fireworks calls & citizen assists). We have made 3 arrests, taken 18 reports & 15 citations. It is not just community action team up there. I have seen 2 different patrol sergeants walking the hill. ( Break down of Tubbs Hill calls here .)

Hucks — I know that citizens would love to see some sort of emphasis patrol on the hill, to stop unleashed dogs, litterers, etc. Is that realistic?
Chief White — I agree wholeheartedly. That would be fantastic thing. In the next budget, we asked for a part-time animal control officer (to do some Tubbs Hill patrols). But we have a lot of animal calls. I don’t know how much we can dedicate to that activity. I hate to have police office with a badge and handcuffs up there to stop dogs off lease. I would like to see more proactive patrols. We are trying to get grants for extra officers. Not only for Tubbs Hill but for all downtown. One of the greatest things we have going for us is our connection with community. We appreciate people up there hiking who call us when something’s going wrong. It helps us pay more attention. The difficulty with Tubbs Hill is that it’s more secluded. We can’t drive a patrol car up there.

Hucks — How successful has the decision to put a substation in East Sherman Avenue been?
Chief White — Having officers in the neighborhood anecdotally has been a huge benefit. During the East Sherman Avenue workshops, many people came up to us and said how happy they were to have presence. That’s worth it’s weight in gold. Perception is important. My goal when I got here was to improve the relationship between our department and the community. And that is happening.

Hucks — What is your reaction to the fallout about the letter to the Coeur d’Alene Press editor by Dusty Rhodes re: officers accepting gratuities of up to $50?
Chief White — It was upsetting because we made it clear to officers all along that they weren’t to accept gratuities. That information was given to Mr. Rhoads. A lieutenant also gave him the city policy on accepting gratuities. There are times when it is appropriate, however. During week Sgt. Moore was killed, there were dozens of people who brought in cookies & drinks. If we were to turn those people away, how callous would that have looked? We’re OK with someone buying a coffee or soda pop. The $50 gift thing is city policy that is geared more toward elected officials. (When officers are given a small gratuity like coffee or a drink) the officers are to take care of that sort of thing by leaving extra large tip.

Q — How is your department’s morale in the wake of Sgt. Moore’s death?
Chief White — We have had a tumultuous year. The department has rallied and come together. A large amount of that is because of the support from the community and elected officials and city administration. Greg’s death is still with us. People think about it all the time. I hate to be calloused and say that Greg’s death has been galvanizing for the department. But it’s true. We have come together as a large family. We’ve grieve. We’ve pulled together. i can’t say that we’re moving on but we’re moving forward.