Post Falls interim police chief out of office for unspecified time

Post Falls Police Capt. Mark Brantl is leading the police department while interim Police Chief Jason Mealer, a candidate for the permanent chief position, is “out of the office,” according to Deputy City Administrator Warren Wilson.

Wilson declined to say why Mealer is away from his desk and did not know when he would return.

The Spokesman-Review received a news tip that Mealer was placed on administrative leave. Wilson declined to confirm or deny the tip, citing the Idaho Public Records Act, which exempts personnel records from disclosure.

Mealer, who was a captain, took over as interim chief in October after Chief Greg McLean, who spent 36 years with Post Falls police, retired. The city announced McLean’s retirement Oct. 9.

Mealer started his law enforcement career as a dispatcher for the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office in 1999 before transferring to patrol in 2000, according to the Post Falls police website. He spent several years in Iraq and Afghanistan, training and mentoring their police in democratic policing principles, procedures and tactics.

Mealer has served as a member of the dive team, SWAT team and bike team in Post Falls. He was a SWAT team leader and commander, as well as a field training officer during his time with Post Falls police.

Wilson said the city conducted interviews for the permanent chief position. Mealer and Stu Miller, a Post Falls police employee who retired from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, are the final candidates Mayor Randy Westlund is considering.

Westlund will make a nomination for the City Council to accept or reject, but Wilson said he is not sure when Westlund will submit his recommendation.

Brantl and Mealer could not be reached for comment at their office phones Thursday.

Post Falls City Council members did not respond to requests for comment Thursday, declined to comment or referred questions about Mealer to Wilson.

Westlund said in an email Tuesday he could not comment on personnel matters regarding Mealer, and the city will issue a press release “when we have something we can announce.”