Pocatello police Lt. Val Wadsworth to retire this week

POCATELLO — Lt. Val Wadsworth, a longtime officer of the Pocatello Police Department, is set to retire this week after over 25 years of service to the community.

Wadsworth first joined the police department back in 1998 as a patrol officer. He served in several different capacities, including in narcotics and as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

"I've worked as a firearms instructor since 2006," he said. "I was on the SWAT team for 12 years."

Wadsworth has also held many ranks within the police department. He currently serves as a lieutenant, but has also been a corporal and a sergeant. He has also been a detective.

"I was promoted to corporal for a year then was asked to to move to investigations where I worked a bunch of assignments," he said.

All the assignments that Wadsworth worked were rewarding in some way, he said. The most rewarding part of Wadsworth's career was when he was able to interact with the younger officers and protect youth in community.

"Working in Internet Crimes Against Children was the most rewarding," he said. "So was mentoring younger officers and watching them advance in their careers."

Wadsworth said the best advice he can give to younger police officers is to remember that although working in law enforcement is difficult, it can be a rewarding career.

"It's definitely something worth pursuing," he said. "You get to help people out. You're talking to people and helping them when they're in crisis."

Once he retires, Wadsworth plans to spend more time with his family and look for another career path to pursue.

"I'll spend time with my grandkids," he said. "I'll find another career and do whatever that is."

Wadsworth will officially retire on July 26. He has enjoyed his time with the Pocatello Police Department and looks forward to this new chapter in his life.

"The time goes by very fast, and next thing you know, it's time to retire," he said.