On November 25, Mark Bensen was preparing for retirement when he stumbled upon a job opening for police chief at the Nez Perce Tribal Police Department. At 55 years old, he realized he wasn’t ready to retire and decided to pursue the opportunity.
“I still wanted to work, I thought it would be a great way to make a difference,” Bensen expressed.
Following successful interviews in April, the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee appointed Bensen as the chief of police. He officially began his position on November 1.
Originally from Moscow, Bensen and his wife, Rachel, have been married for 27 years. They made the decision to come back to the area after spending 24 years in Federal Way, Wash. Bensen brings a wealth of experience to his role, having served as a Marine Corps veteran and worked in various capacities in the law enforcement field.
In addition to his extensive service background, Bensen holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of Idaho and advanced degrees in business administration and organizational leadership. His educational background allows him to effectively oversee departmental budgets, emphasizing the importance of the business and budgetary aspects of law enforcement.
Bensen’s training also includes leadership courses from the FBI, and he is equipped with experience in establishing policies for new police departments.
Adapting to his new role as chief of police at the Nez Perce Tribal Police Department, Bensen highlights the learning curve associated with Indian law and the complexities of different legal codes.
Looking ahead, Bensen aims to enhance policy, training, and address staffing challenges while fostering relationships with other law enforcement agencies.
As Bensen settles into his new role, he is focused on building a strong, reliable, and trustworthy law enforcement agency for the community.
For inquiries, contact Brewster at [email protected] or call (208) 848-2297.
