Oregon DOJ wraps up Sunriver police chief investigation

The Oregon Department of Justice has completed its criminal investigation into an allegation made against Sunriver Police Chief Marc Mills and has forwarded its findings to Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel, the DA announced Wednesday.

In a brief news release, Hummel’s office said he “will now review the facts and decide whether to initiate criminal charges.

“Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and her team conducted a thorough and professional investigation that provides me all the information I require to make a charging decision,” Hummel, declining to divulge any specific details.

“I expect my review to be completed in the first week of January, and at that point I’ll make my decision and explain it to the public.” Hummel added.

Mills was placed on paid administrative leave earlier this month by the Sunriver Owners Association pending the results of its own investigation.

An anonymous source told NewsChannel 21 at the time that the allegations don’t involve any theft or falsehoods but instead involve of a disciplinary issue regarding his performance with the department.

Mills, 61, has been Sunriver’s police chief for nearly six years, after more than 38 years with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, rising to the rank of captain. Bend police Captain Cory Darling is filling the position of interim police chief.