Rathdrum appoints only female police chief in Idaho

A new North Idaho police chief will soon become the state’s only woman leading a city policy agency.

The Coeur d’Alene Press reports that 45-year-old Tomi McLean will take over as Rathdrum’s police chief on Jan. 1. She has been working as an officer with the small city – which has a population around 8,000 – since 1994.

The City Council unanimously appointed McLean into the position last week.

McLean said she’s waited a long time to become chief and is appreciative of the confidence the community has placed in her.