The City of Prineville announced the appointment of Jeff Profio as the new Chief of Police, effective November 18. With over 29 years of law enforcement experience, Profio has spent his career dedicated to serving the public and keeping communities safe.

Jeff Profio began his career as a police officer with the San Jose Police Department in California, where he advanced through the ranks over 24 years. In his leadership roles, he served as a team leader for the SWAT Team, sergeant of the fugitive apprehension team, and commander of special operations teams, including SWAT, bomb squad, canine, and traffic enforcement. He was instrumental in developing department-wide training in procedural justice and implicit bias, cultivating a culture of excellence and accountability.

Before entering law enforcement, Jeff worked for five years at the YMCA, where he integrated team building into youth programs. He has since developed and led workshops for non-profits, law enforcement agencies, and the private sector, focusing on a collaborative and human-centered approach to team dynamics.

Congratulations! The OACP welcomes Chief Profio to beautiful Central Oregon with excitement as he embarks on this new undertaking.

Chief Iwai came to Ontario in March of 2022 after 25 years with the Oregon State Police. Iwai served as a lieutenant with the Salem patrol office of OSP and prior to that served seven years in the U.S. Army.  In 2023, Iwai graduated as a member of the 285th session of the FBI National Academy. and has served in many capacities in Ontario, overseeing three divisions: administration, field operations and support services. 

The OACP Congratulates Chief Iwai  as he turns the page and transitions to a new chapter  and wishes him much success and fulfillment in the next stage of his journey. 

As many of you know, about 50 of us from Oregon just returned from the 2024 IACP Conference in Boston.  I was lucky enough to attend IACP largely because of the generosity of the OACP through the Scholarship Committee and the IACP scholarship which I received at our last spring conference.  I owe a big thank you to our association and the Scholarship Committee for this opportunity that I was given.  This was an awesome time to represent OACP as your President but also learn as much as I could to bring back to our State and my community.  I spent considerable time attending presentations on Wellness Programs, Peer Support, Leadership Challenges and Success Stories in policing today.  I plan on using what I learned immediately and have already began to follow up on some of the contacts I made there, with the hope to bring individuals and their companies to Oregon, resulting in the development of partnerships that will benefit OACP.  I truly appreciate the opportunity I received to attend the 2024 IACP conference in Boston. 

Thank you OACP! 

Chief Mark Daniel, Mt. Angel PD

Chief Paul Nagy beside his patrol car in Gladstone Oregon. (Above)

Recipients of the Paul Nagy Award are pictured below.

The association has always attempted to recognize members who have demonstrated the highest degree of leadership with high standards and efforts to assist OACP to meet its objectives and goals.  Originally the highest award given was named the “Meritorious Service Award.”  In 1989 the name of the Award was changed to the “Paul Nagy Award” in honor of the Chief of Police from The Dalles, who lost his battle with cancer. 

Paul Nagy served the association in many capacities including several committees both in the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police but also representing OACP on IACP committees.  Just prior to his death Paul was serving in the “Chairs” of this association where he served as President in 1987 and 1988.  Paul Nagy was the epitome of a professional and a gentleman.  Members who served with Paul remember him as the first to welcome new members. He shook their hands and made them feel at home.  He was a tremendous person who had the respect of all who knew and worked with him.  Paul Nagy was awarded the Meritorious Service Award by the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police on April 16, 1987.  It was thought by the OACP Board of Directors that it would be fitting to name the top award after Paul. He exemplified the Highest Standards of Professionalism in Law Enforcement and the Association members voted unanimously to identify its highest award, The Paul Nagy Award.

Chief Jim Jones – 1997

Chief Geoff Spalding – 2022

Chief John Courtney – 2000

Chief Matt Workman - 2023

Cynthia Bolek – 2018 

Ken Reuben - 2024

We have some exciting news to share! The Northwest Accreditation Alliance (NWAA) has received $294,483 from a U.S. Department of Justice COPS grant to support Oregon law enforcement agencies in becoming accredited by removing financial barriers. 

Oregon requires law enforcement agencies with 35 or more officers to be accredited by July 2026. However, many smaller agencies are not pursuing accreditation due to budget constraints or lack of obligation under the legislation.

Oregon is taking a significant step towards establishing accreditation requirements, and these funds will help agencies get closer to achieving their goal of accreditation. Our accreditation partners at Northwest Accreditation Alliance continued efforts in certifying agencies help to demonstrate both NWAA and OACP's commitment to building stronger professional law enforcement agencies. 

Special Olympics Athlete, Ben Finestone & Officer Weaver from Bend PD communicate the importance Law Enforcement leaders play in the SOOR organization. 

Created by a Special Olympics Athlete, the OACP Chief's car was auctioned off for many years during Annual Conferences to raise money for SOOR. 

Special Olympics Athlete, Sean Ertsgaard shared his experiences and showed off his medals earned during a variety of SOOR events. (Also pictured, Officer Kecia Weaver)

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