Bend PD changes coming in scandal’s wake

Changes are coming to the Bend Police Department following a sex scandal involving a former lieutenant.

Bend City Manager Eric King said Tuesday he’s conducted his own internal review of the department. But he won’t announce what changes he plans to make until Wednesday or Thursday.

King said he does a performance evaluation of the department every year. However, this one was more in depth, due to recent events — most recently, the resignation of Lt. Chris Carney, who told investigators he had sex on duty for more than a decade.

Since King is top city administrator, he can make such changes on his own. However, he usually consults with the council in such matters.

But councilor Scott Ramsay said Tuesday he trusts King will make the right decisions.

“It’s an unfortunate situation,” Ramsay said. “Any time you have one employee behave inappropriately, it affects the morale and the impression from the public of an entire department — in this case, the entire city.”

“It’s really unfortunate, but with more than 470 employees, you’re bound to have incidents once in a while, and I think they’re going to be dealt with efficiently and responsibly,” the councilor added.

When NewsChannel 21 asked Ramsay if he has any idea what changes may be made, he said he doesn’t know. We also asked if he thinks any police department jobs are in jeopardy; he said he could not answer, that either.

The city council meets Wednesday, and has an executive session planned on legal matters, but there are no public-meeting agenda items related to the recent events

We will keep you updated as we learn more.

NewsChannel 21 tried to reach Sale Tuesday, to see if he knew anything about the changes. He has not responded.