MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. – The City of Troutdale is currently exploring creating its own city-led police department and terminating the comprehensive law enforcement services it receives from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.

To help explain the potential impacts, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office released a frequently asked questions section on its website. 

Under the city's proposed limited model, the new department would consist of 13 employees. Because of this minimal staffing structure, the city would be unable to provide around-the-clock patrol coverage, leaving certain hours of the day with no officers on duty. 

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office would not be able to maintain an un-contracted "standby" presence to fill the operational gaps of a police department unable to staff for 24-hour patrols. Once the contract is terminated, existing dedicated deputies will be reassigned to other county law enforcement responsibilities.

This potential transition would also result in a severe reduction or total elimination of essential specialized law enforcement services and investigative resources. Troutdale residents would lose direct access to dedicated detectives, school resource officers, the community resource deputy, and critical regional response assets like the East County SWAT and Major Crimes teams.

Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell cautions that replacing 24/7 coverage with an understaffed municipal model lacking equivalent personnel, equipment, training, and investigative strength would roll back a decade of public safety progress and leave residents and businesses vulnerable.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office encourages Troutdale constituents to stay involved and share their opinions about public safety.   

Community members can share their opinions with city leaders by attending upcoming public meetings, which are posted on the city’s website. 

###