Sisters can’t afford it’s own police department

In response to the Sisters City Council Survey regarding local law enforcement: It is not in the best interest for the citizens of Sisters to form a municipal police department.

Re-creating our own City of Sisters Police Department would be very expensive. We would need a police chief, at least three field supervisors working various shifts, and at least six to eight police officers.

These police officers would have to go to the police academy, go through four phases of training which include a coach per officer. The force would equate to approximately six officers, working 8-hour shifts, forty hours per week, with full coverage. Also, overtime, and a supervisor (Sgt. or Lt.) assigned to oversee them or using the existing supervisors from their cities. We would also need to purchase vehicles (a six-car minimum) bicycles, and other pertinent equipment. (Purchasing old prowl cars with high mileage from other departments isn’t an option for a quick response). Arrestees would have to be transported from the scene of the crime to the Deschutes County jail.

The City of Sisters would have to offer competitive wage, vacation, and benefit packages as well as hiring support staff. The City of Sisters does not have a crime lab, criminalists, detectives, or an evidence room. The City of Sisters would have to build the infrastructure for a local force.

Is establishing a city police force really going to provide us with better service, and at what cost? Expanding the city limits with the anticipation of collecting additional tax revenue to fund is not fiscally sound. The Oregon Legislature just passed $3 billion in new taxes, which would be an average increase of $2,307 per family. A City of Sisters police officer would cost on average $100,000 per year for pay, training, and benefits. Establishing a new force could be a cost of approximately $3 to $4 million without adding costs for a new physical plant.

I had the pleasure of knowing some former City of Sisters police officers. The local department did not have the strength to give time off when officers requested. The wage and benefit package was not competitive with other local law enforcement. The officers found other employment with either Deschutes County or the City of Bend after approximately 36 months. The City of Sisters was not competitive in wages, training, coverage, labor relations or benefits.

Presently, we have contracted with Deschutes County Sheriff for law enforcement and animal control. They have provided a quick response and a law enforcement presence in Sisters. The contract with Deschutes County just needs to be more specific. The previous city council did not know how to write a specific law enforcement contract for Sisters. Does the present city council know how to do so?

Gone are the days when the Town Marshal Fred Painter was the only local law enforcement needed in Sisters.