Behind the Badge: From training to the streets, what it takes to serve and protect in Bend
(Update: Adding video)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- As Bend continues to grow, so do the challenges faced by those sworn to keep the city safe. The Bend Police Department is expanding its team, updating its training, and embracing new technology to meet the demands of a fast-changing community — all while striving to maintain a personal, human connection with the people they serve.
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz
Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz says that growth has the department working hard to stay ahead. “When you first come in as a new police officer, the first thing you do is go through an orientation academy and then head to a 16-week basic police academy,” he explained. In total, he says, it takes about a year before new officers are fully trained and ready to serve the community.
Chief Krantz adds that technology will continue to play a growing role in how officers manage safety, traffic, and efficiency. “Where we excel is really around that technology,” he said. “We have a community that supports it for efficiency, and a city that looks at innovation to make service better.”
Hiring and retention, however, remain a priority as Bend’s cost of living rises. Krantz says his goal is to hire people who already live in or near Central Oregon — people who understand the area’s unique challenges and local spirit. “When I do interviews, I talk to people a lot about emotional intelligence — who they are as people, what experiences formed them, and how they use those experiences for the benefit of others,” he said.
The department’s community-first philosophy is central to its work. “We contact a lot of people — often during the most difficult times in their lives,” Chief Krantz said. “It’s not when they really want to meet a new friend. We have a program where officers engage with people just to get to know them. When that relationship is built, that’s when trust is built.”
Ride-along with Bend Police Officer Ben Schlechter
That emphasis on humanity and service is clear during a night on patrol. On a recent fall evening, Officer Ben Schlechter began his shift — another unpredictable night in Bend. Within minutes, he responded to a domestic dispute, where his ability to speak two languages helped ease tensions and safely resolve the situation.
“Every day brings something different,” Schlechter said. “I could start my day with someone on fire — that might turn into a big investigation. Then two hours later, I could be asking two people to stop arguing. It’s very volatile and unknown.”
When asked about fear, Schlechter admitted it’s something that never fully goes away. “I’ve learned to recognize that I’m human. I’m going to feel fear — it’s natural,” he said. “There’s a reason I wear a bulletproof vest and carry the tools I do: to protect myself and others. Sometimes that means facing dangerous, ugly situations. I’ve learned to accept that feeling so I can react when the time comes.”
Still, the emotional weight of the job can linger long after the shift ends. “There have been situations that are horrifying, that I’ve seen in just five years,” he said. “Bend isn’t a huge city like L.A., but I’ve seen things I wish I never would have seen.”
Despite the challenges, Schlechter says his motivation — and that of his fellow officers — comes from caring deeply about the community they protect. “It’d be nice if people understood that we’re humans too,” he said. “We’re doing our best to help others, do what’s required of us, and still take care of our families. We’re not here to get you or wreck your life. We’re here to make things better.”
From the leadership level to daily patrols, Bend police officers say their mission remains the same: to serve their community with professionalism, empathy, and heart — even as the city around them continues to grow.
