Before she ever stepped onto a shift at the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Jennifer Ciobanasiu already knew how to navigate a crowded room. 

As the second-born in a family of eight children, she learned early that standing out requires a mix of sharp focus and relentless drive. If you don't bring your own momentum, she said, it is easy to get lost in the shuffle. 

That childhood reality became a professional asset in 2007. Fresh off earning her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Portland State University, Ciobanasiu initially weighed the path to law school before pivoting toward public safety. It was the height of the Great Recession, and the local job market was competitive - particularly in law enforcement. 

“I once walked into a gymnasium where they held a hiring event for a handful of police officer positions,” Captain Ciobanasiu recalls. “There were hundreds of people in the room, and I think I might have been the only woman.” 

She didn't get the job that day. But where others might have seen a dead end, Ciobanasiu found more determination and purpose. 

“I knew I wanted to work in law enforcement, and I felt like serving the community in which I was raised would be most meaningful, so I kept applying locally.”

That persistence paid off in 2009 when MCSO hired her as a deputy sheriff. Her introduction to the road was demanding, anchored by her field training deputy, Sgt. Bryan White, a mentor known for his purpose and pursuit of perfection. 

"He was incredibly knowledgeable and very strict," Ciobanasiu says. "I never wanted to disappoint him." 

Today, as a captain within the Law Enforcement Division, Ciobanasiu carries that same culture of excellence forward. She commands an expansive portfolio of operational and specialized teams — overseeing more than 60 employees.  

Notably, Ciobanasiu is the only female law enforcement professional to achieve the rank of captain at MCSO in the last two decades. While she acknowledges the unique dynamics of climbing the ranks in a traditionally male-dominated field, she emphasizes that her formula for advancement remains straightforward: dedication, preparation, and performance. 

That philosophy is most apparent in her view on physical readiness, a standard she views not as a personal goal, but as a promise to her peers. 

"Everyone will have to call for backup at some point. We are here for each other," Ciobanasiu says. "I never wanted to be the reason one of my colleagues was injured in the line of duty. I strength trained regularly then, and I still do today, even though my day-to-day role is no longer in the field." 

Managing the complexity of a modern law enforcement division requires immense energy, but Ciobanasiu is intentionally learning to balance her natural drive with longevity. 

"I tend to overachieve," she admits. "I hit a goal and immediately look to the next one. I’m learning to intentionally slow down to appreciate milestones and avoid burnout." 

When she steps away from the uniform, she recharges by broadening her understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives through international travel, while remaining locally connected.  

As an avid traveler, she has explored the cultures of South Korea, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Mexico, Canada, and her family's native Romania. Closer to home, she channels her creative energy into remodeling houses alongside her mother and staying grounded with her siblings and 23 nieces and nephews. 

Fluent in Romanian, Ciobanasiu credits her faith and her tight-knit family with cementing the values of courage and structural accountability that guide her command.  

As she looks toward the future of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, her primary focus is investing heavily in the personnel executing the mission every day on the county's streets. 

"It is incredibly vital to keep ourselves accountable and set high standards for our team," Ciobanasiu says. "I always want us to be better and do better."