City Police Operations to be Suspended on Oct. 31st, 2021

The John Day City Council unanimously approved Resolution 21-869-17, A Resolution to Suspend Operations of the John Day Police Department, during their council meeting held October 12, 2021. The City’s 2021-2022 fiscal year budget approved by the Council on June 28, 2021 included funding for Department operations in anticipation that a five-year local option levy would pass in August 2021 and provide sufficient financial resources to balance the Department’s 2021-2022 fiscal year budget. This measure failed to pass. The City is continuing to pursue funding through the Department of Homeland Security but has not been informed whether we will receive the grant award. The Police Department currently has two full-time police officers and no police chief, which is insufficient staff to safely meet the City's needs and ensure officer safety. The combination of inadequate funding and insufficient personnel have made continued Department operations unsustainable at this time. Our remaining officers will be transferred to employment in the Public Works Department effective November 1st. All calls for service will be transferred to the Grant County Sheriff's Office. For additional information, see the full text of the resolution, enclosed.