Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team recognized as Oregon Drug Team of the Year

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) Team was awarded the 2023 Agency of the Year for Oregon by the Western States Information Network (WSIN) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to combating drug trafficking and enhancing community safety throughout the Central Oregon region.

According to WISN, this award celebrates the CODE team's exceptional leadership, dedication, strategic innovation, and significant impact on disrupting domestic and international drug-related crimes. Leveraging advanced technology, intelligence-led policing, and community engagement, the CODE team has set a benchmark for effective law enforcement practices in Oregon and beyond.

The Western States Information Network, a part of the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) centers nationwide, supports law enforcement agencies with resources and information-sharing capabilities to combat organized crime and drug trafficking. The Agency of the Year award acknowledges the remarkable achievements of law enforcement units that have made a profound difference in their communities by using intelligence-driven, multi-agency, prosecutor-supported approaches to drug investigations.

During the award presentation, the WISN Law Enforcement Coordinator for Oregon, said, "The CODE team's success is attributed to meticulous investigations, innovative operational tactics, and a commitment to public safety."

"This award is a testament to the hard work, resilience, and professionalism of our entire team," said Sgt Kent Vander Kamp, a spokesperson for the CODE team. "It highlights the importance of collaboration within our unit and with our community and partner agencies. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of the people we serve. This award from the Western States Information Network serves as both an honor and a motivation to persist in their mission to protect and serve the citizens of Central Oregon with unwavering dedication."

About the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team:

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies:  Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department,  Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Oregon State Police, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney’s, and the Oregon National Guard.

The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement task forces to disrupt or dismantle local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations.