The City of North Bend last week recognized the police department’s command staff for their successful first year of service to the community.
Among their main achievements:
– Transfer of emergency dispatch services to the Coos North 911 dispatch center to address critical staffing shortages and public safety concerns, a move expected to save taxpayers $723,400 in fiscal year 2025 ;
– Modification of computer-assisted dispatch and case management systems to improve the efficiency and accuracy of reporting on crime statistics;
– Implementation of mandatory training in critical areas, including defensive tactics, firearms and use of force and recertification;
– Using federal grant dollars to offset the purchase of new patrol cars to replace dangerous high-mileage vehicles with heavy repair bills;
– Elimination of mandatory overtime through the restructuring of patrol shifts;
– Promoted two patrollers to sergeant status to ensure that each shift is supervised;
– Standardized uniforms for all shifts, including Class A uniforms, to communicate officers’ level of authority and experiences during court and ceremonial events;
– Completion of renovations to the police squad/reporting room;
– Renovation of the former squad/reporting room for use as a multi-purpose training/conference room;
– Training and hiring of a Community Services Officer (CSO) who assists and relieves law enforcement personnel in carrying out various police functions;
– Build relationships with community members and open the lines of communication through community engagement efforts, including community events and the recent ‘Talk of the Town’ event at the Little Theater on the Bay;
– Mobilized and sought additional federal funding for a Community Resource Officer (CRO), who will work closely with community partners and the sources they provide to assist outreach services to homeless individuals and families in our community ;
– Top-down review of organizational strengths and weaknesses with thorough succession planning and staff development for future leadership positions;
– Significant improvements in efficiency, staffing, deployment schedules, overtime and service operations; and
– Launched salary study and analysis of similarly sized agencies in Oregon, including associated incentives and benefits.
