‘He is the leader of the team’: New Madras police chief brings plenty of experience to new role
(Update: Adding video, comments from new chief, detective sergeant)
He's served in interim position since early March
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The new Madras police chief says the department is making progress on its staffing challenges.
A few days after the City Council made their decision, Timothy Plummer was sworn in late last month by Mayor Mike Lepin as the city's new, permanent police chief.
Detective Sergeant Steve Webb said Friday there already are positive results from that appointment.
"For staff here, it's been an increase in morale. There is a sense of team and he is the leader of the team," Webb said.
Plummer brings more than 30 years experience with Oregon State Police to the top job.
Plummer said, "The men and women that work here currently are dedicated to their community. They want to see an improvement in the quality of life. Not that the quality of life here has been poor. They want to move forward and make sure the citizens of Madras feel safe."
Plummer said the most common cases seen in Madras involve criminal mischief, assault and theft.
Webb is impressed with Plummer's approach to the job.
"I have a chief that is here on a daily basis, in uniform, and he's willing to come out and respond with his officers," Webb said.
Madras Police collaborate with Oregon State Police and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Within the department, there are seven officers, and they plan to add more soon.
"We just hired two new (officers), and they're out with their field training officers," Plummer said. "And we're looking to make conditional job offers to two more, which will bring us up to full staff for uniform patrol."
Plummer said in the next year, he hopes to get authorization to hire two more officers.
Councilors appointed Plummer to fill the chief position vacated by the resignation of Tanner Stanfill last November, they said in last month's announcement, which continues below.
"The search for our city’s new Police Chief was the most important role we have filled recently,” stated HR & Administrative Director Charo Miller. “Our troops have pulled together, asked for, and received help when needed; they worked long hours without complaint in order to maintain a police department to ensure there would continue to be a police department for this community.
"We are very thankful for the level of patience and endurance they have each humbly shown while this selection process for Tim has been completed. This team is also very pleased with the Council’s selection for their new Chief.”
Plummer brings the right kind of experience to Madras PD. As part of the International Association of Chief’s of Police, Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Section, he has local, state, national and international level experience working with and consulting industry leaders, policy committee members, the DPSST Board, the Secretary of State’s Office, legislators, judges, prosecutors, and collaborating with law enforcement agency heads and leadership.
He has served as the Vice Chair of the Oregon Driving Under the Influence Multi-Disciplinary Training Task Force. Tim has even worked to create program policies and standards for the certification of all Drug Recognition Expert law enforcement officers in Oregon, even certifying one of our own Madras PD officers in 1999.
The leadership, mentoring and training he brings to the department will be crucial for the rebuilding that he will facilitate. Only two of the remaining patrol positions are left to fill, and the department is looking forward to adding one additional evidence technician position in the upcoming fiscal year.
This new role as chief will add to Tim’s 30 years of professional level work in the field of public safety. Tim retired from the Oregon State Police prior to serving as Madras PD’s Director of Police Services since March 7th of this year.
Mr. Plummer holds a DPSST Supervisor Certificate, is a current Certified Drug recognition Expert (DRE)/DRE Instructor, and is also a Facilitator for the International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute (IPSLEI). He belongs to the following professional organizations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), International Association of Chiefs of Police DRE Section, Associate Board Member for Clear Alliance, Oregon DUII Multi-Disciplinary Training Task Force member.
