Brian Zimmerman appointed as new
Bonners Ferry Chief of Police |
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April 17, 2018 |
Bonners Ferry has a new Chief of Police, as
Brian Zimmerman was sworn in at the Bonners
Ferry City Council meeting earlier this evening
to head the Bonners Ferry Police Department.
The city's previous Police Chief, Vic Watson,
resigned from the position four days ago, for
reasons not publicly specified.
Chief Zimmerman is a native of Boundary County,
having been raised in the county and graduating
from Bonners Ferry High School. He began his law
enforcement career as a reserve officer for the
Bonners Ferry City Police years ago, later
becoming a regular city officer. After a few
years with the Bonners Ferry City Police, he
eventually was hired as an officer with the
Idaho State Police, where he served initially in
Southeastern Idaho. He retired from the Idaho
State Police as a captain in July 2012 after a
lengthy career with that agency.
Two years later, Zimmerman was recruited by the
Mayor of Middleton, Idaho to create a city
police department for Middleton, which until
then had received police services from the
Canyon County Sheriff's Office. He accepted that
position, and found himself setting up a
municipal police department, organizing
everything from scratch, from selecting uniforms
and coming up with the colors and design on
patrol cars, all the way up to interviewing and
hiring officers and staff, writing department
policies, and getting all the processes and
machinery of a new police department up and
running.
He held that position for close to two years,
and resigned last May, citing disagreements with
the Middleton mayors management and
administrative style.
This evening's meeting of the Bonners Ferry City
Council opened with Mayor David Sims introducing
Brian Zimmerman to all in attendance. "Brian is
very well qualified, and most importantly, is a
person of exemplary character," said Mayor Sims.
"I think a lot of you know him. He grew up here,
has roots here, and when we were looking for a
chief he answered the call as a true public
servant. I really appreciate his willingness to
do it, and look forward to working with Brian."
A motion was then made by City Council President
Rick Alonzo (himself a former Bonners Ferry
Chief of Police) to approve the appointment of
Brian Zimmerman as the new Chief of Police for
the City of Bonners Ferry. That motion passed
unanimously.
Mayor Sims then administered the oath of office
to Chief Zimmerman.
City Council President Alonzo then took a moment
to note that traditionally in the Bonners Ferry
Police Department, badge number 61 has been the
badge of the City Chief of Police. "It would be
very nice if you would accept that badge
number," said Mr. Alonzo.
"Absolutely," replied Chief Zimmerman.
"Now for a Kramer-ism," said Mr. Alonzo,
referring apparently to Sheriff Dave Kramer. He
then said, to laughter from all in the city
council chamber, "Now that Brian's on board,
we've had Chiefs of Police from A to Z (Alonzo
to Zimmerman)."
Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer then made
his own direct observation. "I think this is the
best move for the city of Bonners Ferry and for
Boundary County," he said. "Brian's been a
friend, a mentor over the years, and I'm really
looking forward to the partnership working
together. It's very exciting. Congratulations to
the city and the residents. A fine choice, the
best one you could have made."
Former Bonners Ferry Mayor Darrell Kerby, also
in attendance, took a moment also to
congratulate Chief Zimmerman and the City on the
new appointment. |
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