Wayne Hoffman

The Idaho Statesman | Edition Date: 01-14-2005
Gov. Dirk Kempthorne has named former interim Boise Police Chief Jim Tibbs to the three-member panel responsible for running the Department of Correction.

Tibbs retired from the Boise police force last month after Mayor Dave Bieter passed him over for a permanent slot as the chief.

Kempthorne spokesman Michael Journee said the governor picked Tibbs for the six-year term because of his "great experience with law enforcement."

He replaces Ralph Townsend, whose term expired at the start of the year. Townsend, a retired military officer, did not seek another go-round, according to the governor's office.

Journee said Tibbs' possible future in politics (he's been mentioned as a candidate for city office) played no part in the decision to appoint him.

Tibbs did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Bieter, who picked Mike Masterson for chief, was surprised but enthusiastic to hear that Kempthorne had chosen Tibbs for the corrections job.

"I think that's good news," Bieter said. "That's a positive thing. He's got such a wealth of experience."

As a member of the board, Tibbs will help oversee a state agency that is responsible for the care of more than 6,300 inmates and supervision of about 10,000 probationers and parolees.

The board approves the agency's budget proposal to the Legislature, administers its policies and gets to hire or fire the director.

He'll be paid $50 for each day the board meets. By law, the board has to meet at least quarterly.

The department has a general fund budget of more than $110 million and more than 1,400 employees.

The Boise Police Department Tibbs had hoped to run has 275 officers and a $32 million budget.

Tibbs joined the Boise Police Department in 1970 and held a variety of jobs, including school resource officer, patrolman and public information officer. Last year, Bieter named him interim chief after Don Pierce resigned at Bieter's request.

http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=140

OMG! What a small world! I am originally from Boise, and Jim Tibbs was my school resource officer. Unless he's changed, we couldn't have a better man in the corrections field. He was always fair, listened to ALL sides before judging, and as far as I remember, we all liked him. Even those who had reason not to... LOL. Luckily, I was never in trouble in school. :D

Good Luck Jim!

Missy

I dont know much about him, but he does seem to be fair. Hes been around for a long time and I just hope all that time hasnt hardend him up

BOISE--- Chairman Ralph Townsend has retired after serving a
six-year appointment on the Board of Correction. Townsend led the
three-member board that controls the Idaho Department of Correction.

Chairman Ralph Townsend of Boise is a former Assistant State Adjutant General and commander of the Idaho Air Guard. He retired in 1998 after 41 years in the military. Governor Kempthorne appointed him to the board in January 1999.

The Board and Department of Correction honored Chairman Townsend for his many contributions during the past six years. Board member Dwight Board presented Townsend with a plaque which states, ''Your dedication to developing a Department respected for its professional integrity has served as an inspiration to us all.'' Townsend also served as acting director in the spring of 2001, immediately before Director Beauclair was hired.

Governor Kempthorne appointed Jim Tibbs to fill Townsend's seat on the Board and serve as Chairman. Tibbs served on the Boise Police Department for 34 years, most recently as Chief of Police. Tibbs' seat on the Board was confirmed by the Senate on February 18.

The Idaho Department of Correction is a state government agency
controlled by a three-member board appointed by the Governor. Board of Correction members are appointed to six-year terms. Currently serving are Jim Tibbs, Carolyn Meline and Dwight Board.