Ron Winegar officially becomes Boise’s Chief of Police

Boise’s City Council unanimously confirmed Interim Police Chief Ron Winegar’s appointment as permanent police chief on Tuesday, after a tumultuous several months for the police department.

Mayor Lauren McLean announced the pick of Winegar last week.

The Idaho Press reports, on Tuesday, Mayor McLean said crime rates are the lowest in two decades, promotions within the department are up and recruitments have increased.

The past several months were not the first time Winegar had been Boise’s temporary police chief. He served as acting chief after former chief Bill Bones retired in 2019.

Winegar reemerged in April 2020, when he replaced Mike Masterson, who was set to retire, as acting chief.