Search begins for new Pinehurst police chief

PINEHURST – The top position at the Pinehurst Police Department will have a new face this summer, as current Chief Tami Holdahl plans to retire on June 1. Holding the position since November of 2018, Holdahl's upcoming departure has opened the floodgates for applications.

Pinehurst Mayor Bob Jutila, who is ultimately responsible for choosing a replacement chief, tells the News-Press that the city has received 16 applications for the position since the job was posted in March.

"Compared to what we had the last two times around — this is incredibly high," he said of the number of applicants.

The last time that the city of Pinehurst was looking to fill the PPD chief role was in 2018 and they only had two interested parties that time around.

Looking at the 16 applicants, Jutila noted that the vast majority of them are not local to the area.

"We only had two local law enforcement officers apply," he said. "Everyone else is from big cities back east. I have to imagine it's just from wanting to get the heck out of where they currently are."

The two local individuals include Pinehurst Police Department Sgt. Jeff Demery and Shoshone County Sheriff's Office deputy John Richter.

While being a current resident or being from the area is not a prerequisite for the job, Jutila says that he is looking for someone who will be committed to the city long-term, 10-15 years ideally. He also wishes to have someone ambitious that will stay current on training and city business, on top of following through with commitments.

"Honesty and integrity. Do the job you say you're going to do. If you say you are going to do this — do it."

Since receiving the initial 16, Jutila and a small advisory committee have since whittled the number of applicants down to 10. This number is expected to shrink further following background checks and the requirement of in-person interviews next week.

"We don't want to just fill the position to fill the position," he said. "Having the right person in that spot is the most important thing."

If all goes according to plan, the hope is to have a new chief selected by May.

The News-Press will continue to follow along with the hiring process.