With the exception of a few really good officers, this is where cops go that can't find employment anywhere else. At least that is my assumption based on the lack of professionalism and capability in my few dealings with the Caldwell PD. I recently called to check on the laws for carrying a firearm in your auto. I was new to Idaho and wanted to make sure that I was obeying the law. When I asked the clerk (who insisted I ask her the question first...) she was 100% ignorant and gave me false advise. ("You can have a gun in your car but it CAN'T be loaded.) I knew she was wrong so I then contacted the Sheriffs Dept who gave me what turned out to be the accurate answer. ("Idaho is an open carry state, a loaded weapon is completely LEGAL") Not sure who to believe, I called the Idaho Bar Association and confirmed the Sherrifs report. Two days later a Caldwell PD officer returned my call to field the same question. He was also completely ignorant in what the law says. Scary to think that these people enforce our laws but have no concept what they are enforcing. With this knowledge, I decided that ANY interaction with the Caldwell PD will be recorded both audio and video. I'm not at all anti LEO, I am however anti-stupidity. The caveat to this is that I have met a total of 2 Caldwell PD officers that are good cops. I admit, I don't know many police officers but my first interation with them only spoke of utter incompetence. read more

I've had so many bad experiences with police officers, but the worst would have to be Caldwell PD. Just the other day my friends were enjoying the stars by the lake, because some parts of caldwell are a little too light polluted to see the stars anymore, and a cop pulled up beside them to tell them the park had closed a few minutes ago. They had lost track of time and were completely understanding and respectful. The police officers proceeded to tell them that they wanted to search their car, my friend felt like she had to say yes. Two large male cops with their hands on their guns "asking" to search your car, intimidating. She cleans her car out weekly and doesn't do drugs or anything of the sort. They had the nerve to "pull out" a pill bottle with dust that they "found under her seat". She insisted it wasn't hers and finally they said okay we'll just dispose of this then. FRAMING and unprofessional. A total joke. read more