City of Prineville picks veteran Bay Area police officer, Jeff Profio, as its new police chief; one of three initial finalists

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The City of Prineville announced Wednesday the appointment of longtime veteran San Jose, California police officer Jeff Profio as its new police chief, effective Nov. 18. He was one of a trio of finalists who visited the city for interviews in April -- the first of two rounds of three finalists city officials considered this summer.

Profio was one of three veteran law enforcement officers from Washington and California announced in June as finalists for the position. A week later, the city announced that none would be chosen and in late July named three more finalists to visit the city for consideration.

Former Prineville Police Chief Larry Seymour and Captain Rob Gray resigned this spring under a negotiated settlement, six months after being placed on paid, non-disciplinary leave pending an investigation, the results of which were not released by the city. Lieutenant Shane Wilson has been acting as officer in charge on an interim basis.

"With over 29 years of law enforcement experience, Profio has spent his career dedicated to serving the public and keeping communities safe," the city said in its announcement, which continues in full below.

Jeff Profio began his career as a police officer with the San Jose Police Department in California, where he advanced through the ranks over 24 years. In his leadership roles, he served as a team leader for the SWAT Team, sergeant of the fugitive apprehension team, and commander of special operations teams, including SWAT, bomb squad, canine, and traffic enforcement. He was instrumental in developing department-wide training in procedural justice and implicit bias, cultivating a culture of excellence and accountability.

Profio also served on the San Jose Police Department Chaplaincy board of directors for approximately six years, where he helped provide direction and conducted fundraising events for the program.

Currently, Jeff serves as the second-in-command of a small agency, overseeing day-to-day operations and building a cohesive team. (In its brief biography at the time of his naming as a finalist for the post, the city said Profio currently worked as a lieutenant for the West Valley Mission Community College Police Department near San Jose.)

He has been a POST Master Instructor since 2005, a designation awarded by the state’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) program, which oversees the training and certification of law enforcement personnel. In this capacity, he has facilitated POST-certified courses that emphasize team building and principled policing, which will be foundational for the Prineville Police Department.

Before entering law enforcement, Jeff worked for five years at the YMCA, where he integrated team building into youth programs. He has since developed and led workshops for non-profits, law enforcement agencies, and the private sector, focusing on a collaborative and human-centered approach to team dynamics.

“Jeff Profio’s extensive experience as a master instructor and his dedication to mentoring and coaching make him an ideal fit for the Prineville Police Department,” said Steve Forrester, City Manager of Prineville. “His accomplishments in building high-performing teams will be instrumental in shaping the future of our department.”

The selection process for the new chief included a national search conducted in collaboration with a third-party firm, as well as community meet-and-greets and interviews with panels of regional public safety professionals, community leaders, and members of the Prineville Police Department. 

“We are excited to welcome Jeff Profio as our new Chief of Police,” Forrester added. “We look forward to the positive impact he will have on our police department and the community as a whole.”