New Moscow police chief appointed, sworn-in

It was standing room only for the Moscow City Council's official appointment and swearing in Monday night of new Police Chief James Fry.

Mayor Bill Lambert appointed Fry, 46, to the job earlier this month, and council confirmation made his new position official.

"I have no reservation you're going to do a terrific job" Lambert told Fry. "I have complete confidence in you, sir."

City Clerk Laurie Hopkins gave Fry the oath of office and Fry's wife, Julie, affixed his new pin on his uniform.

After saying thank you to his family and others, Fry briefly noted that he slowly worked his way up through the department to the "ultimate role" of his law enforcement career.

The new chief started with the Moscow Police Department in 1993 as a reservist and was hired as a full-time officer in 1995. Among his duties throughout the years have been working as a member of the SWAT team; as a bike patrol officer; field training and crime prevention officers; and firearms and Taser instructors. He was the department's captain who oversaw the UI's campus division before his appointment Monday.

Fry also thanked outgoing Police Chief David Duke, whose 43-year-long law enforcement career brought him from Oklahoma City to Moscow in 1999. Duke "mentored me through my career" and "shielded me through many tough times," Fry said.

He also said the community's support isn't "something he takes lightly."

There was a short reception after the ceremony.

As of Fry's appointment, Duke is the ex-officio police chief. Duke was appointed as chief in 2011. His retirement party will be April 28, but he said after the ceremony he'll be in town for most of May to help complete some final tasks.

Fry, an Idaho native, graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor of science in criminal justice and a master's in curriculum and instruction.

The Frys live in Troy and have been married for 25 years. They have four children.

In other business, the councilors:

• Resumed deliberation on the proposed Harvest Hills First Addition Preliminary Plat and approved it with some conditions. They stopped discussion in February and asked the developer to return after adding more parking to the subdivision. It will be situated on 7.45 acres along the east side of North Mountain View Road and north of the Rolling Hills Addition.
• Approved amendments to the outdoor irrigation season ordinance that allow staff to start the season at any time with 72 hours' notice to the public. Property owners can now apply for irrigation variances outside the normal season to support more efficient planting times for new lawns and landscaping.
• OK'd the start of a barrier loan program that would loan city barriers for use during permitted beer and wine gardens operated in city parks and rights-of-way as a way for event organizers to have nice looking barriers. Half of the city's 50 barriers will be made available on loan.

Terri Harber can be reached at (208) 883-4631, or by email to tharber@dnews.com.