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City of Tigard Names New Police Chief

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	City of Tigard 13125 SW Hall Blvd. Tigard, Oregon 97223	Press Release October 15, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact:	Jim Wolf, Public Information Officer Tigard Police Department 503-718-2561 jim@tigard-or.gov

City of Tigard Names New Police Chief
City Manager Craig Prosser, recently announced his appointment for a new police chief for the City of Tigard. Former Assistant Chief Alan Orr will assume his new role as Chief of Police effective November 24th. That day coincides with the planned retirement of Bill Dickinson, the current Police Chief. Dickinson announced his retirement in August and Orr was appointed as Interim Chief of Police at that time.

Prosser expanded on his motivation regarding the appointment by stating that Orr "has the highest commitment to serving our community and to high ethical standards." He added that he is looking forward to working with Orr in his new role while helping move the Department and the City to the next level of professional excellence. Prior to his decision, Prosser conducted a series of interviews with other Tigard Police employees in efforts to better learn about Orr and the entire agency overall.

Newly appointed Chief Orr began employment with the City of Tigard in 2002 as a Captain for the patrol division. He was promoted to Assistant Chief in 2003. During his tenure with the Tigard Police Department, Orr worked to enhance the professionalism of officers by expanding on opportunities to interface with other metro area law enforcement agencies and specialty police units. Prior to his employment with the Tigard Police Department, Orr spent the previous 32 years working for the Portland Police Bureau. There he held a variety of positions culminating as a Precinct Commander until his announced retirement from the bureau in 2002. Orr, 61, is married and has one son and a daughter.

The City of Tigard has the 11th largest municipal police department within the State of Oregon. The Chief of Police serves as the director of the Tigard Police Department, leading a department of nearly 100 employees and an annual operating budget of over 14 million dollars. The agency prides itself on the outstanding service they provide to both residents and visitors alike. Last year marked the fourth consecutive year that the City of Tigard witnessed a significant decline in crimes. That result appears a culmination of improved management and training, better technology, committed focus on community policing philosophies and overall enhanced communication between police and the community.

Newly appointed Police Chief Alan Orr will be officially sworn in at the regularly scheduled Tigard City Council meeting on November 24th.