City of Boise, ID
City of Boise, ID
05/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/08/2024 05:51
Mayor McLean Names Boise’s Next Chief of Police
Mayor McLean Names Boise's Next Chief of Police
August 5, 2024
Mayor Lauren McLean has selected Chris Dennison as Chief of Police for the Boise Police Department, pending the results of an extensive background check and confirmation from city council.
"I'm pleased to announce that Chris Dennison has accepted my offer to be Boise's next Chief of Police and excited to introduce him to our community," said Mayor Lauren McLean. "Chris understands the special trust that must exist between a police department and the community it serves. I am confident he will care for our officers and our residents, working collaboratively across the region to keep Boise a safe and welcoming city for everyone."
Dennison was selected after a months-long hiring process that began with community surveys and focus groups and included interviews with community leaders, representatives from peer public safety agencies, internal stakeholders, union representatives, Mayor McLean, and city council leadership. The top three candidates also fielded questions at two open houses with the community and police department.
"The Boise Police Union Local 486 is thankful to Mayor McLean for the inclusive process in selecting Chris Dennison as the next Chief of the Boise Police Department. We appreciate all the candidates for their interest, as well as their openness to the Union's questions and input. The Union thanks Chief Dennison for accepting the position, and we believe he is the appropriate choice for our Chief because of his attentiveness to his community and his officers," wrote Boise Police Union Local 486.
In May, Mayor McLean asked seven community leaders to join her in the selection process. Scott Schoenherr, a member of that selection committee, said of Dennison, "Throughout our conversations with Chris, we found him to be a thoughtful, collaborative, and community focused leader with a breadth of experience and commitment to our community policing model."
Prior to posting the position, community meetings, focus groups and an online survey were conducted to best understand the community's priorities for the next Police Chief. Over 1,500 respondents completed the survey, citing reducing crime and enhancing public safety as their highest priority. Boiseans also indicated a preference for a chief who practices transparency, responds to community concerns, and holds officers and staff accountable.
"Hiring the right person to lead the Boise Police Department is a top priority for our city council," said Council President Colin Nash. "I commend the mayor for a thorough search that included input from a wide range of valued community stakeholders, and after a rigorous vetting, I have confidence in Chris Dennison's ability to lead our department effectively."
"I'm honored to join the Boise Police Department as Chief of Police. I am passionate about building strong community relationships, enhancing public safety, and leading a dedicated team of police professionals. Boise is a vibrant and growing city, and I look forward to working collaboratively with the community to ensure it remains a safe and welcoming place for all residents," said Dennison.
Dates for Dennison's city council confirmation and start date will be announced in the coming days. Winegar is set to retire on September 20, 2024, after nearly three decades of service to the department.
Contact: Mayor's Office Media Relations
(208) 972-8520 | [email protected]
Be 'In the Know,'
sign up for our weekly e-newsletter.
Thanks for filling out the form!
Subscribe to our mailing listZip Code *
skip
Submit
© 2024 City of Boise. All rights reserved.
Message Sent Successfully!
Message Failed To Send.
Send a Message to Mayor's Office Media Relations
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
Phone Number
Message
Recaptcha
Submit