Chief of Police (former)
Moscow Police Department
James Fry Jr. is a native of Idaho and graduated from Council High School in 1988. He attended the University of Idaho and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1994. In 2013 he received his Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Idaho’s Department of Education. He has over 3031 hours of additional law enforcement training and graduated from the 275th session of the FBI National Academy.
James started his law enforcement career in 1993 with the Moscow Police Department as a Reserve Police Officer. He was hired by the Moscow Police Department in 1995 where he has served as an officer and advanced through the ranks for the next 25 years, serving in every capacity within the police department.
In April 2016, James was selected to be the Chief of Police for the Moscow Police Department, and he retired in April 2024. He continued to be committed to the department’s community policing philosophy throughout his tenure as Chief.
James sat on the Idaho Chiefs Accreditation Team, where he conducted accreditations for Idaho law enforcement agencies. In July 2016, Chief Fry received a Governor’s appointment from Governor Butch Otter to serve on the Idaho School Safety and Security Board. During 2019/2020 he was appointed to Governor Brad Little’s Opioid Advisory Board. James served as Vice Chairman of the Idaho Police Officers Standards Training (POST) Council and was the Chair of POST’s Decertification Board. Chief Fry taught a class at the University of Idaho on Leadership in Policing. He also is a Certified Birkman Assessment Professional.
Chief Fry was hired by the West Richland Police Department as Chief of Police in June of 2025.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM MT