In his first days on the job, Powell Police Chief Jim Rhea said he’s been impressed with the department’s personnel.

“The people here are fantastic. They’re professional, they’re capable,” and they’re eager to help the department move forward, Rhea said.

The problem, though, is there aren’t enough people, with the agency short several officers and dispatchers and additional departures potentially on the horizon.

Rhea commended the city for recently approving $3-an-hour raises for officers and dispatchers. He said that’s put the department’s salaries more in-line with other agencies and helped “a lot” with retention.

But there’s more work to do: Although Rhea is still developing his priorities as chief, retention and recruitment is the clear No. 1.

“It is across the board trying to figure out not only how to keep good officers, but it’s also how to recruit and bring people in,” he said in a Thursday interview.

Since starting the job on June 12, Rhea’s been working with his colleagues within the department and at the city to revamp and streamline the recruiting process. That includes slashing the patrol officer job application from 20-some pages to four or five.

Amid a tough job market “we have to showcase and highlight what Powell has to offer and do that in a way that’s attractive and competitive,” Rhea added.

The former Sweetwater County Sheriff’s sergeant indicated that Powell has a lot to offer, praising its culture, friendly people and “all-American traditions.”

“I absolutely love that and want to make sure that continues, is protected and is valued and appreciated,” he said.

Rhea added that the department will be “drastically increasing” its involvement and engagement with the community, reaching out to everyone from businesses to the schools. He sees critical importance to officers interacting with the public in situations outside of enforcing the law.

“We’re here to educate, we’re here to interact, we’re here to be that resource for that community member [so] if they have a problem or an issue, they have no reservation to approach that officer and say, ‘You know, this is suspicious to me,’” Rhea said.

He’s also hoping to work with other area agencies, including to develop more reality-based training.

Last week, Rhea’s primary task was sitting down with each of the department’s employees, one-on-one, to better understand where the department should direct its focus.

Although he comes to the Powell Police Department with a decade of experience as a sheriff’s deputy in Rock Springs, the new chief is still going through the same training process as any new officer. He said it’s important for protocols and policies to be applied across the board.

Some police leaders opt to wear business attire, but once Rhea’s training is complete, he’ll be wearing a full police uniform.

“I know my title says chief, but I view myself as a police officer,” Rhea said.

Jumping into the new role has been hectic, he said, “but it’s fantastic.”