The Dalles seeks new Police Chief; Ashmore to retire in April
The Dalles Police Chief Patrick Ashmore plans on retiring in April. City officials have started the search for his replacement.
By Tom Peterson
The City of The Dalles began a search for a new Police Chief on Monday, Oct. 19th.
Current Chief Patrick Ashmore said he plans on retiring in April after serving for five years in the position.
“It’s time to make room for somebody new,” Ashmore said on Tuesday afternoon. “I am thankful for the opportunities I’ve had here. We’ve moved the agency in a good direction.”
The City will conduct a search both inside and outside the current department to fill Ashmore’s shoes.
Ashmore said TD Sergeants Eric Macnab and Chris Simonds plan on applying for the job.
The city of The Dalles posted the opening on their website Monday, and Ashmore said he has already fielded a couple of phone calls from other administrators and chiefs who were finding out more about the job.
Click here to read the City’s brochure on the position.
Ashmore said he will provide prospects with information about the job, but he will not be part of the selection process.
”I will not make recommendations. I will be careful not to,” he said.
The salary range for the position is $86,205 to $106,021 annually, not including benefits.
Ashmore, who turns 60 in April, spent 29 ½ years with Oregon State Police before becoming Chief in The Dalles. He worked in narcotics enforcement for 13 years in the Willamette Valley. He then became an area commander in The Dalles before finishing his career in Salem as a Deputy Superintendent.
He never intended to take the top post.
“I had big plans for retirement,” he said, noting he grew up in The Dalles and his parents live here. His family and his Dad knew he was not ready to hang it up, and they convinced him to consider the post when The Dalles Chief Jay Waterbury left.
“They told me to try it for a year, and If I didn’t like it, I could get out.”
That was four years and six months ago.
Since then he has hired seven officers and added 2 ½ positions to the agency.
Ashmore said his biggest accomplishment was creating training for officers on mental health issues.
“For me, it was the exposure to the mental health crisis and the work that needs to be done,” he said. “And coming to an understanding of how unfortunate it is for families that are affected by it - I had no idea.”
Ashmore’s accomplishments also included:
Updating technology including radios in vehicles and those worn on uniforms as well as body cameras.
Developing a “robust leadership team.”
Creating the opportunity for officers to have de-escalation training to better handle complex calls with people experiencing mental health and houseless issues.
Creating partnerships with the Center For Living, North Wasco County School District 21, and Mid-Columbia Medical Center.
Ashmore said The Dalles Police handle up to 150 calls for service on a busy weekend and that calls for service are up 18 percent and calls for crime are up 14 percent.
By no means is the work done, Ashmore said pointing again to those needing assistance with mental health.
“We have not come up with a solution,” he said. “It’s sad. There’s not a solution for the gaps in service, but locally we are working really hard…”
