A typical Moscow City Council meeting is overwrought with city business. While Monday’s meeting was similarly business-related, the Council set aside time for a more pleasurable duty: recognizing the work of Moscow Police Chief David Duke.
Duke has served in law enforcement for 40 years. Duke served in Oklahoma for more than 20 years before arriving in Moscow in 1999. He has served as Moscow’s police chief since 2011.
In honor of Duke’s service, William Flink, division administrator of Idaho Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) presented Duke with the Executive Certificate Award — the highest attainable certificate of the POST council.
“It’s an award that not many administrators in the state — that being chiefs of police and sheriffs in this state — have attained,” Flink said. “It’s an award for service and it’s an award for education and training standards.”
Duke said it was thanks to his staff that he was able to receive such an award.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for those present here,” Duke said. “Because, for my office chair, my responsibilities hinge on the capabilities of my support and the staff that go out and protect and serve every day and serve this community.”
But Duke said he owed his biggest thanks to his wife, Jean Duke.
“My biggest thanks goes to the reason I’m here today and that’s my wife Jean,” Duke said. “She’s the one that sacrifices day-in and day-out. I can’t say enough for the support she’s given me over the last 35 years of my 40 years of law enforcement. So I thank her also.”
Flink commended Duke for his 40 years of service in law enforcement, as well as for his roles in organizations outside of his primary occupation as police chief.
“He sits currently on the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children policy board and the Association of Cities, Drug Task Force Executive Committee,” Flink said. “He serves also in his training as a member of the FBI National Academy, which is commendable by itself.”
Upon presenting the award, Flink addressed Duke directly.
“Chief Duke, you are one of the people who have made law enforcement what it is today in the state of Idaho and we salute you for your dedication and wish you continued success in your law enforcement career,” Flink said.
Moscow Mayor Bill Lambert also commended Duke for his service to the community.
“The reason you have such a support team back there, Dave, is because everybody respects what you do in this community,” Lambert said. “You’ve been a big portion of this community, you’ve been a big portion of some of the officers training. And a number of folks in this whole building and this whole city very much respect you. So, thank you very much for yourservice, David.”
Andrew Jenson
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