POCATELLO — Police Chief Roger Schei recently celebrated his 30th anniversary as a member of the Pocatello Police Department, a milestone that caused him to express gratitude for all the great people he’s worked with through the years as well as his deep appreciation for the overwhelmingly positive relationship his officers have with the community.

Schei said he was inspired to work in law enforcement after his brother became a deputy with the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s something I’ve always been interested in,” Schei said. “I always wanted to serve.”

When he first joined the Pocatello Police Department, Schei was a patrol officer. Throughout his career with the Police Department, he has served in several roles, including field training officer, school resource officer and detective.

“I’ve served in every capacity and every division in various roles,” Schei said.

In addition to his current position as police chief, Schei has served in other leadership capacities with the department such as police union president and patrol captain.

“June will be my sixth year as chief,” Schei said.

During his 30 years with the Police Department, Schei said law enforcement technology has changed a lot.

When he started as a patrolman in the 1990s, Pocatello police officers didn’t have laptops in their police cars, cell phones or body cameras.

“Technology is the biggest thing that has changed,” Schei said. “It’s changed how we are able to investigate things and how we communicate.”

Schei said he expects technology to continue to advance for the Pocatello Police Department.

“AI is going to be the big, mind-blowing thing,” Schei said.

He said the most rewarding part about his time with the Police Department has been all the opportunities he’s had to serve the community.

The Pocatello Police Department believes in building relationships with the people it serves and protects, and Schei said the relationship between his officers and the community has gotten better and better over the years.

“Those are the things that stand out and make this place a great place to work and a great community to serve,” Schei said.

Schei also recalls how back in 2020 when cities throughout the country were experiencing riots after the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis how he was approached by student athletes from Idaho State University who had plans to hold a march in the Gate City.

They asked for members of the Pocatello Police Department to march with them and Schei said he was happy to oblige.

He also has fond memories from the Police Department’s partnership with the NAACP every year to hold the city’s annual Juneteenth celebration.

“We have a strong relationship with the community,” Schei said. “That has to do with what the members of our Police Department do every day.”

Schei expressed gratitude for everyone he has worked with over the years as well as his family and friends for all the support they have given him throughout his career.

“It’s a blessing to serve with such great people,” Schei said.