Police Department

Objectives of the Police Department are to maintain the peace and quality of life that the City of Columbia City presently enjoys. The Police Department enforces state and local laws and ordinances, protects life and property through preventive and proactive law enforcement practices and contributes to the livability of the City by being an active participant in the community policing model.

Michael McGlothlin serves as the City's first full-time Chief of Police. He is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the operation and activities of the Police Department. He can be reached by calling (503) 397-4010, faxing to (503) 366-2870, or mailing to PO Box 189, Columbia City, OR 97018.  You can also contact him through our online contact form.

The Police Department is funded by property taxes, fines and intergovernmental revenue.

The Department has historically been a community oriented policing agency by its function and nature. As the City grows, we plan to continue to focus on community oriented policing, and enhance our community policing efforts to further involve the public and work closely with them to deal with community issues. As a result, more training for officers in community oriented policing skills will be addressed.

PRIOR YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

The Department continued implementing community policing concepts into daily law enforcement operations, completed writing and publishing its revised department policy manual, developed and implemented a new comprehensive department in-service training program, continued upgrade and rebuild to the agency's records management and computer system, continued improvements to the evidence and property room procedures, and continued the department's emphasis on improvements in leadership, accountability, and personal responsibility. Numerous training courses were also attended by officers.

Specific problem areas relating to criminal and illegal drug activity, traffic safety issues, animal complaints, and nuisance issues were addressed and resolved. Ongoing efforts in working with City residents to resolve concerns within their neighborhoods have been successful and will continue to be ongoing.

The Hearing Conservation Program was continued for all department personnel. Maintenance record systems for all vehicles, mobile data terminals, tasers and other equipment were maintained and updated as required. Grants awarded during the year include the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police Seatbelt Enforcement Overtime grant, the CCIS Oregon Accreditation Alliance grant, and the ODOT Motor Carrier Enforcement Program grant.

DEPARTMENT OBJECTIVES FOR 2011-12:

Continued implementation of the City's Public Policy on Policing as established by Resolution No. 08-933-R. Target date: Ongoing.

Continued local option levy efforts in order to secure long term department financial funding, decreasing the annual strain on the City’s general fund. Continue to improve officer and employee safety, minimize liability and meet federal and state mandates through continued and expanded training programs and equipment upgrades. Target date: Ongoing.

Continue to expand on a number of community safety programs to include, but not be limited to, Child Identification Programs, Identity Theft Awareness, Traffic Safety Awareness, and Neighborhood Watch. Target date: Ongoing.

Achieve Department compliance with "Best Practice" standards as represented in a City County Insurance Services best practices survey dated June 10, 2008. Target date: June 30, 2012.

Continued commitment to the Reserve Officer recruitment and training program in order to provide for a professional and qualified pool of officers to compliment the regular officer force. Efforts will also provide the maximum amount of police protection and services to the community. Target date: Ongoing.

High-level training in a variety of areas at no cost to the City through local, state and federal grants continues to be extremely successful. Efforts to utilize these opportunities to the maximum extent possible will continue to be a priority for the department. Target date: Ongoing.

Continue cooperative agreements and mutual aid agreements with other local, state and federal agencies to ensure that the City continues to receive assistance from those agencies at times when needed. Memorandum of Understandings and Interagency Agreements also have and will continue to provide for investigative services as well as access to equipment that the department does not have and could not otherwise afford. Target date: Ongoing.