I am honored to serve as President of the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police and deeply appreciate the trust you have placed in me to help lead this organization during a time of continued change and opportunity for policing in Oregon.
The OACP has long been a membership-driven association, and our strength has always come from the engagement and leadership of our members. As we move forward, one of our top priorities will be to maintain and grow our membership while increasing participation in OACP trainings and conferences. Each of us plays an important role in encouraging command staff within our agencies to join the OACP and take advantage of the professional development, networking, and leadership opportunities this association provides.
With growth comes a need for greater involvement. This year, we will rely more heavily on agency executives across the state to step forward as leaders, whether by serving on state commissions and committees where law enforcement representation is essential or by actively participating in OACP committees that help guide the direction and priorities of our association. Strong engagement at all levels is critical to ensuring OACP remains relevant, informed, and effective.
Looking ahead, policing executives in Oregon will continue to face evolving expectations. We can anticipate ongoing efforts by elected leaders to reform both what we do and how we do our work. Each of us has a responsibility to remain informed, engaged, and thoughtful about these efforts, recognizing the influence our leadership has in shaping outcomes that affect our agencies, our profession, and the communities we serve.
Technology will also remain under close examination. The rapid expansion of tools available to public safety brings opportunity, but also responsibility. It is incumbent upon us to select technology wisely, deploy it in ways that align with community expectations, and remain transparent about its purpose and use. Engaging elected leaders and community stakeholders early, and clearly explaining both the what and the why, builds understanding, trust, and long-term support.
Over the past year, we have seen renewed attention at every level toward understanding the needs of law enforcement and the critical role we play in public safety. After several challenging years in parts of Oregon, this presents an opportunity. Our collective focus should be on sustaining this momentum and ensuring the importance of law enforcement remains front and center in policy discussions, funding decisions, and long-term planning.
As OACP, we must continue to lead by example. We do this by remaining transparent in our work, collaborative in our approach, and grounded in a mindset of service. Our mission to promote the highest ethical and professional standards in law enforcement is strengthened when we lead with integrity, humility, and accountability.
Finally, I want to recognize and thank our executive staff for their tireless work on behalf of this association. Their dedication ensures OACP continues to effectively support its members and advocate for the profession statewide.
On behalf of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, thank you for your continued service, leadership, and commitment to the OACP. I look forward to working alongside each of you as we continue to strengthen our association and advance the profession of policing in Oregon.
Stay safe,
Mike
