International Falls Police Department

The city of International Falls has named a new police chief.

Scott Wherley takes over from Mike Kostiuk, who announced his retirement earlier this month.

Mayor Drake Dill says Wherley was one of three to apply for the position.

He says all three were well-qualified, but Wherley stood out for him.

“Investigator Wherley has worked as a Conservation Officer in the state of Nebraska, a Sergeant for the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, the Chief of the Blackduck, Minnesota Police Department, a child protection social worker for the Koochiching County Health and Human Services, and is currently an investigator with the International Falls Police Department,” says Dill.

Wherley graduated from Falls High School and Rainy River Community College before furthering his education at Hibbing Community College. and Peru State College in Nebraska.

He will earn a starting salary that is 80% of the current chief’s salary until an employment agreement is finalized.

Wherley will be officially sworn in at the January 5th council meeting.

While Kostiuk is leaving a more than two-decade policing career, he has accepted a position as administrator for the Village of Salem Lakes, located south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He starts his new position on Monday.