SUNRIVER POLICE DEPARTMENT HISTORY
The origins of the Sunriver Police Department date back to 1969. Known at that time as the Sunriver Department of Public Safety, the first Patrol Officer was hired. At that time, the officer worked for the developer and was commissioned as a Deputy Sheriff. In a recent interview, that particular Officer recalled that the developer provided him with a vehicle and the Sheriff provided him with the decals, radio and lights. That Officer was the sole Sunriver Police Officer for several years until he was hired full time by the Deschutes County Sheriff. The Sunriver Department of Public Safety continued to work under the developers until the Sunriver Owners Association took over in 1987. At that time, the Sunriver Department of Public Safety along with the Sunriver Fire and Road Departments, were transferred to the Owners Association. During this time period, the Sunriver Police Officers continued to be commissioned through the Deschutes County Sheriff's Department.
The year 2002 was another milestone year in the history of the Sunriver Police Department. In 2002, the community of Sunriver voted to pass a Special County Service District to provide Public Safety services to the Community of Sunriver. This campaign was strongly supported by both Police and Fire personnel who were, up to this time, the only agencies in the State not eligible for PERS. On July 1, 2002 the district was formed and the Police and Fire departments were transferred into the District. Also in 2002, the Sunriver Police Department started the process of becoming an accredited agency. This process is considered to run among the most significant events in the departments history. On April 8, 2003 the Sunriver Police Department received accreditation from the Oregon Accreditation Alliance.
DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE
The Sunriver Police Department is composed of two divisions: Operations, which is the uniform section of the Police Department, and the Support Services Division. The Operations Division's primary purpose is to be first responders on all calls for service, as well as creating a halo effect with the police presence, giving people a feeling of security and a safe community. They conduct criminal investigations on assigned cases, enforce traffic safety laws, Sunriver Rules and Regulations, and carry out community care taking responsibilities. The Operations Division also includes the Sunriver Bicycle Patrol, and Citizen's Patrol. While not responsible for taking calls for service, the Sunriver Citizen Patrol act as a liaison between the Sunriver Police and the general public. Citizen's Patrol members are Sunriver Community members who donate their time by providing simple community care taking services. Examples include traffic and parking control, as well as residence checks. The Support Services Division includes records, finance, and human resources functions. The Sunriver Police Department has one full time Records/Office Manager, and contracts with the Sunriver Owners Association for financial and human resource services.
ORGANIZATION
The Operations Division consists of ten full time sworn officers. Composition: 8 Officers, 2 Sergeants, 1 Chief. During the busy Summer months, a component of approximately 8 Bike Officers help accent the full time officers. The Bike program has been a great success. Bike Officers are usually non-sworn officers who take emergency and non-emergency type calls and free full time officers to respond more efficiently to the emergency and hazardous type calls.
SHIFTS
A 24-hour period is divided into two 12 hour shifts. The officer works four 12 hour days in a work week, not including training, court time, and regular overtime due to case/work load. The shifts are broken up into two weeks of days and then two weeks of nights before the rotation starts over.
PHILOSOPHY
Our Police Department seeks compliance at the lowest level possible. If a problem can be worked out of compliance gained without enforcement action, this is the preferred approach. In all cases involving criminal activity, we investigate fully and take appropriate action. We embrace the Community Oriented Policing (COP) philosophy. This asks the Patrol Officer to look at the root cause of the problem. The goal is to fix the problem so Officers do not end up responding back to the same call over and over, needlessly using valuable resources. Our Patrol Officer are trained to be police, encourage voluntary compliance and use force as a last resort to enforce the law.
THE SUNRIVER POLICE DEPARTMENT CHIEF
Chief Kennedy started with the Sunriver Police Department in 1990, and worked his way up the chain of command before his appointment as the Police Chief in Sunriver on July 1st, 1999. Chief Kennedy was a Patrol Officer, Corporal and Sergeant at Sunriver Police Department prior to his appointment as Chief Of Police. He had served in the Unites States Air force before moving back to Central Oregon. Since his appointment, Chief Kennedys' emphasis has been involvement and working closely with the community. The Sunriver Police Department has adopted a Community Policing philosophy and looks for opportunities to work with the residents of Sunriver. Chief Kennedy meets with two community based organizations, the Public Safety Committee, and the Citizens Patrol. He also sits on the Deschutes County 911 Executive board of Directors and represents the department before the Sunriver Board of Directors, and the Sunriver Service District Board.
Chief Kennedy has worked to advance the professionalism of the Sunriver Police Department by establishing a 17 week Field Training & Evaluation Program, and has been a crucial influence in the Accreditation process. During Chief Kennedys' tenure, he has assisted in the formation of the Sunriver Citizens Academy, and the formation of the Sunriver Service District.
