Sandpoint not seeking police chief candidates

SANDPOINT — Although options are open for the city when it comes to the future of the police department, officials are taking a wait-and-see approach.

With the appointment of Lt. Corey Coon into the position of interim police chief, the city’s elected officials are evaluating his performance over an interim period of three months, according to Sandpoint Mayor Marsha Ogilvie. However, in the meantime, the city is not opening the position for applications.

That runs against the wishes of some community members, who would like to be involved in public forums and interviews to get a feel for a variety of candidates. However, Ogilvie said Coon will be making himself available within the coming weeks to various community organizations like Rotary clubs and the Downtown Sandpoint Business Association, allowing residents to ask him questions about his ideas on law enforcement and become acquainted with him.

“Corey and I have talked, and we believe it’s important for him to be seen and heard by the public,” Ogilvie said.

Nevertheless, Ogilvie said she and other elected officials are aware of public concerns about the police department. Based on their interviews with Coon, she said they believe he has the demeanor, law enforcement style, leadership ability and approachability to guide the department in the direction residents want.

In addition, Ogilvie said that as an individual born and raised in Sandpoint, Coon is deeply familiar with the character and law enforcement needs of the town.

Ogilvie also addressed concerns that the appointment of Coon as interim chief caused unrest within the department itself. In particular, she said that Capt. Rick Bailey passed on the job, even though he served as the de facto authority at the department for the past several weeks. Det. Robert Dressel also expressed his support for Coon at the regular Wednesday City Council meeting, stating that he enjoyed his current position and believed Coon could move the department in the right direction.

That endorsement is echoed by Ogilvie, who said she wants to see the local police carry a reputation as approachable public servants.

“I believe Corey is the guy to do that for us,” she said.