Sheriff's Office News

A Message from Sheriff Pat Garrett

Hello Washington County residents,

First, thank you for your continued support to the men and women of your Sheriff's Office.

This past month, I spent time in Harney County during the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Our deputies worked shifts in and around Burns to help meet local public safety needs and as a sign of solidarity and support for the extremely stressed community and Sheriff Ward. I was proud to see that many other Oregon sheriffs and their deputies did the same.  

It is hard to describe the relief and support expressed by Harney County residents toward our deputies. My thanks to our county Board of Commissioners and to you for supporting such collaboration in the midst of such a public safety crisis. The Governor's Office and our congressional delegation are assisting our efforts to federally reimburse local agencies for costs.

Some will question why I am addressing the next issue. The reason is simple - I am an elected official and you deserve to hear from me on challenging issues facing this office.

Last week, I received deeply disturbing news from Meridian Police Department in Idaho that a WCSO sergeant is charged with very serious crimes related to actions while he was off duty. 

Upon being advised of the investigation, I immediately placed him on administrative leave and he was removed from the workplace. I changed that to unpaid leave the following day when I learned more details and was notified of his impending arrest. He turned himself in at the Canyon County Jail on March 4.  Full media release.

The charges against Mr. Alexander are extremely serious. I have great confidence the judicial process will determine the truth and ensure an appropriate outcome based on the facts. Allegations such as these against any officer tarnish the great work law enforcement officers do daily and that's enormously disappointing. The public rightly expects very high standards of conduct in the law enforcement profession, and I remain committed to holding all staff accountable for their conduct, whether on or off duty.

While this case fills us with shock and disbelief, we are supporting a full investigation and taking swift and appropriate administrative action. Please understand that I will not be able to provide further updates on this matter. The Meridian Police Department is in charge of the investigation and the release of any public information or records.

Sincerely,

Sheriff Pat Garrett
 
Celebrating 50 Years of High Energy! 

When we have a missing person or evidence in a rural or urban area and we need to search a vast area fast, we count on the high energy of our Search and Rescue Explorer Post. These young people, age 14-21, respond as volunteers from home, school, or even on weekends to help save lives. This team of young men and women train hard so they can respond and work safely in any terrain.



Your Sheriff's Office Explorer Post 877 is celebrating its 50th year of operations! This makes it the oldest Explorer post in Oregon. Congratulations and thank you to all the incredible volunteers in our  Search and Rescue Explorer Post!  Keep reading to see when the next Explorer Open House is available  . . . 
Caught in the Act!
#DeputiesDoingGood 

The work of a deputy can be tough, but it can also have heartwarming moments and laughs!  Here are a few moments you might recognize: watch the video and enjoy.

Visit us on social media and share photos of #DeputiesDoingGood. 

Like us on Facebook     Follow us on Twitter     View on Instagram     View our videos on YouTube
Emergency Communications System Bond Measure
On the Ballot May 17

When a person calls 911 for help, Washington County's emergency communications system is used to dispatch first responders to the scene as quickly as possible. The system is used by all law enforcement, fire and rescue and ambulance service providers countywide. 

The system has worked for decades, but now manufacturers no longer make key parts. In addition, the technology is outdated and the buildings and towers are not designed to withstand a major earthquake.  For these reasons, Washington County voters will be asked to consider a funding measure to replace and upgrade the emergency communications system. 

With voter approval this May 17, Washington County would issue general obligation bonds to pay for $77 million in capital costs for emergency 911 equipment and facilities, including:
  • Converting the existing system to current technology
  • Improving countywide coverage by installing more towers
  • Strengthening facilities for earthquakes, storms and other emergencies
  • Providing for efficient expansion of the 9-1-1 center and emergency response facilities
  • Replacing approximately 3,000 analog radios currently used by first responders countywide
The projected levy rate is not expected to exceed 8 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The actual rate may vary depending on changes in bond interest rates and assessed values. This rate would be levied over less than 21 years. A typical homeowner would pay about $20 in 2016. This assumes an average assessed value (not market value) of $255,408. For more information, call 503-846-8685 or visit online.
Sheriff Garrett Invites Public Feedback for Inspectors
Accreditation Inspection April 11 - 14

Your Sheriff's Office will be inspected for compliance with national law enforcement standards by a team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) next month, April 11 - 14. This four-day inspection is the most intensive part of the re-accreditation process for large law enforcement agencies who voluntarily apply for national accreditation. This is our fourth re-accreditation process.

Sheriff Garrett explains that many agencies can claim they provide excellent law enforcement services, but few can prove it by achieving and maintaining rigorous accreditation standards that impact every aspect of operations. The CALEA team will be working hard to gain an understanding of our technical abilities and to learn about the Sheriff's Office culture and values.

One important way to assess our values is by talking with the community. You can help the inspection team evaluate our community partnerships, staff interactions with the community, and quality of service delivery. Sheriff Garrett encourages the community to participate in one of four ways.
  • Beginning today, any member of the community can e-mail the inspection team using the following link:  CALEA@co.washington.or.us. The same link will be available from the Sheriff's Facebook and Twitter pages.
     
  • Beginning today, letters can be addressed to the inspection team as follows:
    Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies
    13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320
    Gainesville, Virginia 20155
     
  • On Monday, April 11, beginning at 6:00 pm, the public can attend a hearing in the Charles Cameron Memorial Auditorium in the Public Services Building at 155 North First Avenue, Hillsboro, Oregon.  Those who wish to speak will be allowed 10 minutes to comment on standards compliance.
     
  • On Tuesday, April 12, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, you may call (503) 899-2669 and share comments by telephone. (The line will otherwise be inoperable.) Telephone comments are limited to 10 minutes. 

Meticulously Tracking Evidence

Your Sheriff's Property and Evidence Unit is responsible for the safe and accurate storage of all property that is seized by deputies as evidence or for safekeeping. 

In 2015, we received 21,012 new items and released 17,121. Evidence officers track the chain of custody of every item, which means they know where it is at all times from start to disposition. They must also ensure proper packaging to maintain the integrity of the item as well as its condition. 

Just how accurate is their work? Every year, we do a full item-by-item inventory. Over all locations, our team again had 100% accountability of over 90,000 items!

 

We welcome new Property and Evidence Supervisor Thomas Weightman to the Sheriff's Office. Tom came to our Sheriff's Office from Bozeman, Montana with over 13 years of experience in property and evidence control and 25 years of experience in law enforcement.

 

We look forward to continued excellent work by this team!
Inmate Work Crews Give Back to the Community

Your Washington County Jail's Inmate Worker Program puts inmates who are serving time in jail and near the end of their sentence to work in the community. The inmates are carefully screened and cannot have a history of any violent crime or escape.

These crews are put to work on longer term projects ranging from clearing or building trails, to forestry work, graffiti removal, and building fences. The jobs often support charitable projects.
 
Our inmate work crews recently reconstructed trails for Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation District in Beaverton.  

They also spent two days cleaning up a homeless camp near Beaverton, including the removal of 4 cubic yards of trash!

Our work crews often get compliments on the quality of their projects, and the community benefits from their free labor.

This program also helps the workers to gain skills that will help them be more productive citizens once they are released. That's a goal we all support!












Sheriff's Media Releases
The AT&T store in Aloha was robbed and over $15,000 in merchandise was stolen. Deputies arrested the suspect about three blocks from the store . . . and he was still wearing the mask he used during the robbery.

Sheriff's deputies captured a wanted man following an extended foot pursuit through an
Aloha neighborhood. After his arrest, deputies searched the area covered during the pursuit and located two loaded handguns buried in a crawlspace under a house.

Law enforcement agencies have received numerous complaints from the public concerning phone scams. These crooks try to collect cash from victims alleging they can clear warrants, atone for missed jury duty, and more.

Sheriff's deputies are searching for the person who fired a gun into an Aloha home. Anyone with information about this incident should call (503) 629-0111.


Robbery and Menacing at Aloha Bar
02/20/16 - Several deputies responded to Doozy's bar in Aloha to the report of a robbery with a gun. The bartender told deputies an unidentified man held her at gunpoint and demanded money from the cash register, totaling $160. The suspect is described as a black man in his twenties wearing a gray hoodie, black hat, blue jeans, and using a 9 mm handgun. He is said to have left in what looked like a 4-door silver Nissan car. If you have any information regarding this incident, please call non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.


Thefts in the Raleigh Hills/West Slope Neighborhoods
02/08/16 - Several residents in the neighborhoods of Raleigh Hills and West Slope are reporting thefts from unlocked vehicles parked in driveways. One victim reported their garage door opener was stolen from their car, which gave the crook easy access to enter the victim's garage and steal items. Luckily, the crook did not enter the victim's house. Another victim reported their car stolen. Please don't make it this easy for crooks - remember to lock your cars when they are parked outside.


Suspicious Man in Rock Creek Area
03/07/16 - A woman was on an evening walk with her dog in a green space behind her home. A strange man snuck up behind her and the woman confronted him before he got really close. When asked what he was doing, he replied that he was "checking the power lines," then he ran off. The man is reported as heavily built, white, in his 30s, wearing jeans, a red sweatshirt, and a reflective work vest. There have been a few reports of this man's description seen in the Rock Creek area.

Whether you are a victim of theft, encounter a suspicious person, or witness something that makes you think, "that does not seem right," please call non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111. In an emergency, always dial 9-1-1. If you See Something, Say Something!


Tax Season - Be Aware of Mail Theft
It's tax season again, and that means crooks are looking to steal your identity. An unknown suspect accessed a community mailbox in Bethany, stealing mail from at least 13 homes. Please remember to check your mailboxes often - crooks are looking to steal your sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers. If you notice that you have missing mail, please report the incident to non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.




Sheriff Garrett Will Run for Re-election in November Instead of May
New Chief in Cornelius

Lieutenant Al Roque was sworn in on Monday, March 7, as the new Cornelius Chief of Police. Chief Roque (rhymes with croquet) is not new to Cornelius. He was previously assigned to serve the City as a sergeant.

Chief Roque replaces former Chief Gene Moss who was promoted by the Sheriff to Enforcement Commander managing West County operations.

The Sheriff's Office provides all policing services in the City of Cornelius under a law enforcement services contract.


Join Our Team!

Your Sheriff's Office is seeking great men and women to join our team! If you are ready for a career that allows you to give back to your community and make a difference every day, consider a career with your Sheriff's Office.
Share Coffee and Conversation With a Deputy
Friday, March 11, 2016
9:30 am - 11:30 am

Please join us at one of the following locations:

Starbucks at Bales Marketplace
12845 NW Cornell Road 
Starbucks Raleigh Hills
4735 SW 77th Avenue
 
New Emergency Protective Order Helps Domestic Violence Victims
New this Year - House Bill 2776

YouTube video courtesy of Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
YouTube video courtesy of
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
This year, House Bill 2776 became law in Oregon. The law permits deputies and officers to obtain an emergency protective order to aid victims of domestic violence. This law can be enforced by all peace officers in Oregon. 

HB 2776 supports domestic violence victims in that an officer may apply this emergency protective order in addition to making an arrest.

The emergency protective order is only valid for seven days in the state of Oregon. If a victim feels the need for a longer protection order, they can still petition for one through the court system. Watch this video.
Ready, Set . . . Prepare Washington County
How a 9.0 Earthquake Will Affect Your Home

Aftershock is a free tool on the OPB website. The site is tailor-made for Oregonians to show the impact of a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off the Pacific Northwest Coast. Enter your address to see how "The Big One" will affect your home and how best to prepare.

Do you know how to make your home a safe space during an earthquake? Take the "Shakeout Game" quiz on this website for a fun learning experience. You can even invite friends and family to participate -- see who gets the most points on the quiz!
Slow Down in Construction Zones

Orange signs and cones on the road mean one thing: "work zone ahead." We have many road projects in progress, so remember, orange is your clue to slow down and pay attention!

Please help keep construction workers safe this season by reducing your speed and avoiding distractions. Here are the latest construction hotspots: 
Visit Washington County Roads to check your routes of travel.
Where Have Deputies Been Working?
This link to Crime Reports automatically opens with a view of all requests for police service (except traffic) in unincorporated Washington County during the last 30 days.
  • Click on this link
  • Enter your address to view your area
  • If you live in Banks, Cornelius, or Gaston, type your city in this format: "Cornelius, OR"
  • Click on map markers to view call details
  • Use the Advanced Search to change time periods, add traffic data, etc.
Crime Reports icon

Keep in mind, these are requests for police service, not confirmed crimes.

While monitoring jail cameras, a technician observed four inmates approach the jail kitchen. One of them stayed in the service corridor as "lookout" while three sneaked quietly inside, took something, and left. 

The responding deputy found four inmates innocently mopping the floor, but the jig was up when the deputy looked in a nearby laundry bin. The inmates risked more jail time to steal something valuable and tasty . . . cookie dough.

They burgled and gobbled a batch of cookie dough. In mom's kitchen, you might get a "time-out" for such an offense. In the jail, you get more "time-in."
This Month's "Most Wanted"

The following people are wanted for committing crimes.  Do not approach them.  If you see them or have information to share with law enforcement, please call:

Sheriff's 24-Hour Criminal Records Office at (503) 846-2700, or 
Non-Emergency Dispatch at (503) 629-0111



Wanted flyers are online - click on a photo or visit:
 

Explorer Open House

Attention youth age 14-21! Are you interested in being a part of an exciting team where you get unique insight into the career fields of law enforcement, Search and Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services? Here is your chance to attend a free open house to learn more about joining your Sheriff's Office as an Explorer!

March 14, 2016 at 6:30 pm
or
April 2, 2016 at 10:00 am

Location:

WCSO
215 SW Adams Ave.
Hillsboro, OR 97123
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