Marc Mills resigns as Sunriver police chief

(Update: More from service district, Mills’ attorney)

Marc Mills, accused of harassment for allegedly striking a sergeant in early December, has resigned from the position of police chief, the Sunriver Service District announced Friday morning, also confirming there were accusations of “other outbursts of temper, fears of retaliation and inappropriate behavior.”

Jim Fister, chair for the Sunriver Service District, told NewsChannel 21 that Mills wanted to move forward and thought it was best for the community of Sunriver if he resigned.

“I think, looking at that and looking at what was best for himself and Sunriver, Chief Mills chose to resign,” Fister said.

In December, Mills allegedly struck Sgt. Joseph Patnode in the chest so hard that the back of his head hit a wall. A Sunriver officer and administrative staff officer witnessed the incident.

Mills, 62, had been on paid leave since the investigation began. He became police chief in February 2012, after working for more than 38 years with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sunriver Service District launched its own internal investigation into the allegations and found several incidents and allegations against Mills.

Fister said the investigation has ended since Mills decided to resign earlier this month.

Christopher Manfredi, Mills civil attorney, declined an on-camera interview Friday with NewsChannel 21, but said by phone his client would have preferred his tenure as Sunriver police chief end under different circumstances.

Mills’ most recent salary as Sunriver police chief was about $106,000 a year, and he was paid about $17,000 during his two months of administrative leave. He also has been collecting about $138,000 a year in his annual pension from the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System.

Fister also said Friday that Bend police Capt. Cory Darling, who has been serving as interim Sunriver police chief and “has done a very effective job,” has been recalled to his Bend duties by Bend Police Chief Jim Porter. “He’s got his own job to do there,” Fister told NewsChannel 21.

Fister said a retired Salem deputy police chief, Scott Hayes, will be the new interim police chief. He said the Sunriver Owners Association Board will make the formal appointment at its next meeting, as well as discuss “how to move forward” on selecting a permanent chief.

At his attorney’s request and judge’s consent, Mills is scheduled to both enter a guilty or no contest plea to the misdemeanor harassment charge and be sentenced on March 1, court records showed.

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Here’s the Sunriver Service District statement, in full:

“On December 2, 2017, Sunriver Service District leadership was made aware of a complaint reported to law enforcement from the day before involving Sunriver Police Chief Marc Mills that occurred in a public area of the police department, alleging that he had struck a subordinate in front of other department personnel.

“On December 3, 2017, Chief Mills was placed on paid administrative leave, and the district was informed that the incident had been referred for criminal investigation to the Oregon Department of Justice. The district subsequently initiated its own, separate, administrative investigation into the incident.

“In the course of the district’s administrative investigation, employees raised complaints causing the district to expand the scope of the investigation, including allegations of other outbursts of temper, fears of retaliation and other inappropriate behavior inconsistent with the district’s policies and standards.

“Although the district had not yet made any final decisions related to his employment, Chief Mills recognizes that, under the circumstances, it is untenable for him to continue his leadership of the Sunriver Police Department. Therefore, he has tendered his resignation to the district under a negotiated separation agreement. The District has accepted his resignation, and has concluded its investigation.

“Chief Marc Mills is a good police officer,” said Jim Fister, chair of the Sunriver Service District. “One of his most recognized sayings is that the rules apply to everyone, equally, and I greatly respect that Marc recognizes this in making his decision.”

“Marc Mills has over forty years of excellent service to Central Oregon in a variety of police roles. He is respected for his skills as an investigator and enforcer of the law. His service as Police Chief of Sunriver can best be described as a time when the police developed a very positive relationship with the community. It is unfortunate that his tenure with the Sunriver Police Department is ending in this manner, and the District thanks Marc for his service and wishes him well.”

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Here’s the SROA-Marc Mills separation agreement: