Captain Dave Hagar is stepping down from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department effective July 16, closing a 10-year chapter with the agency after serving two decades with law enforcement in Arizona. Hagar’s retirement comes months after he served as interim police chief and was passed over in the department’s recent search for a permanent chief, a process that drew contentious city council votes in April.
Hagar joined the Coeur d’Alene department in 2016 after spending 20 years at the Mesa Police Department in Arizona. During his tenure in North Idaho, he became instrumental in reshaping department strategy and overseeing major infrastructure improvements, establishing himself as a key figure in local law enforcement leadership across Kootenai County and beyond.
A Career Focused on Data-Driven Policing
Throughout his decade with Coeur d’Alene Police, Hagar championed a data-driven approach to law enforcement—an approach that aligned with broader shifts in modern policing. His advocacy for evidence-based strategies contributed to significant crime reduction in the city. Over the past 10 years, Coeur d’Alene has seen a 75 percent drop in crime rates, a decline that reflects departmental efforts to deploy resources strategically and address root causes of criminal activity.
Beyond day-to-day operations, Hagar served as project manager for the department’s $6.2 million headquarters expansion and remodel, a multi-year undertaking that modernized the agency’s facilities. He also represented the police department on Kootenai County’s 911 Advisory Board, coordinating emergency dispatch services across the region.
Leadership in Training and Community Service
Hagar’s influence extended into law enforcement education. He served as past chairman of the North Idaho POST Academy Advisory Board at North Idaho College, helping shape training standards for officers across the Panhandle. He taught Basic Academy classes, contributing directly to the preparation of new law enforcement recruits entering the profession.
His involvement in the community went beyond the uniform. Hagar joined the board of directors for St. Vincent de Paul in Coeur d’Alene in 2020, dedicating time to the nonprofit’s mission of serving those in need. More recently, in 2025, he took on a role as commissioner on the City of Hayden Public Safety Commission, demonstrating continued commitment to public safety across the county.
Interim Chief Role and Chief Selection Process
Hagar stepped into the interim police chief role in January when Lee White retired, a temporary assignment he held through June. When the city began the formal search to fill the position permanently, Hagar emerged as a candidate but was not selected. Greg Yeager, a former deputy chief with the Fort Collins Police Department, was chosen for the permanent role following a contentious selection process that drew scrutiny and divisive votes on the city council.
Coeur d’Alene Mayor Dan Gookin offered his assessment of Hagar’s career, saying “Captain Hagar is one of the most hard-working, honest policemen I know.”
Hagar himself reflected on his tenure with the agency, noting that significant changes had taken hold. “We brought a lot of changes over the past 10-12 years and brought the police department into a different philosophy of policing,” he said, underscoring the shift toward data-driven and evidence-based methods that now define departmental operations.
What Comes Next
Hagar’s departure marks the end of a transitional period for Coeur d’Alene Police. With Greg Yeager now at the helm as police chief and Hagar’s retirement finalized, the department moves forward under new leadership committed to continuing the strategic approaches developed over the past decade. Hagar’s 30 years of law enforcement experience—10 in North Idaho and 20 in Arizona—represent a career shaped by modernizing police practices and strengthening community ties across jurisdictions in the West.
His work on the Kootenai County Fire Battalion Chief’s Family Youth Mentorship Program reflects broader community emphasis on developing future leaders, a value Hagar demonstrated through his teaching and board service throughout his time in Coeur d’Alene.