Pubdate: Wed, 16 Nov 2005
Source: Statesman Journal (Salem, OR)
Copyright: 2005 Statesman Journal
Contact:  http://www.statesmanjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/427
Author: Dennis Thompson

SALEM'S NEW POLICE CHIEF DOESN'T MISS A BEAT

Interim Leader Moore Is Hired For Top Post

Salem top cop Jerry Moore now is the city's new police chief.

Moore, who has been serving as interim police chief, beat out a field 
of 40 applicants from across the country to become the permanent 
chief. He will be paid $100,000 per year and starts work immediately.

Moore, 51, is a 25-year veteran of the Salem force and a lifelong 
area resident.

He most recently served as the deputy chief for nearly eight years 
under former Chief Walt Myers and was chosen to fill in after Myers' 
retirement in June.

"The thing that Jerry stood out on is his extensive law enforcement 
experience," said City Manager Bob Wells, who made the hiring 
decision. "He knows the community real well. He's well-respected in 
the department, and he does a good job building partnerships. All 
those things combined will make him a good police chief."

The decision drew praise from community leaders and police officers.

"He understands the culture in our police department, and that gives 
him an incredible advantage in moving the department into a more 
community-based form of policing that can reach out into the 
different ethnic populations that are 30 percent of Salem," said 
Eduardo Angulo, the chairman of the Salem/Keizer Coalition for Equality.

Moore inherits a cash-strapped and short-staffed police department 
engaged in a struggle against the corrosive societal effects of 
rampant methamphetamine addiction. The violent-crime rate in Salem is 
low, but drug addiction has led to widespread property crime and 
identity theft.

He said his experience with Salem will give him a head start on 
dealing with the city's crime problems.

"I don't have to learn the issues," Moore said. "I think I have a 
good grasp on where we need to go."

Moore's hiring pleased Bill Osborn, the chairman of the North 
Lancaster Neighborhood Association and a member of the public panel 
that questioned the five finalists for the job.

"That's who I recommended," Osborn said. "He knows the territory, and 
he knows the city setup, and he knows the personalities involved. He 
can hit the ground running."

Roland Broussard, a member of the city's Community Policing Advisory 
Committee and of the public panel, also had hoped that Moore would be hired.

"I must admit, my fingers were crossed," Broussard said. "Hopefully 
he will help bring to fruition some of the programs we've been 
working on. We're trying to enhance our community policing efforts 
and diversify the police force more than it currently is.

Moore plans to largely stay the course set by Myers, starting with 
the former chief's focus on the meth problem.

"If you look at the issues that we deal with, I still believe the 
majority of that is tied to methamphetamine use," Moore said.

Part of that fight will be to continue the department's outreach to 
neighborhoods and the community on meth and crime prevention, both on 
its own and through groups such as No Meth -- Not In My Neighborhood, he said.

The new chief also will continue to pursue the red-light-camera 
program proposed under Myers.

"One of the number one complaints we get is traffic safety, and I am 
convinced that system will help," he said.

Internally, Moore will consider some restructuring to deal with an 
ongoing staff shortage issue. The department is down 16 officers, due 
to either illness or vacancies.

"That has an incredible impact on all aspects of our operation, and 
we have to be resourceful," he said. "You've got to try and staff 
your patrol force, because they're your first responders, but you 
also need to support your neighborhood efforts. Sometimes you need to 
rob Peter to pay Paul."

Officers said Tuesday they were pleased that Moore would be staying 
as their leader.

"It was a good call and a good choice," Cpl. Larrey Owens said. "I 
think he's got a good reputation with the rank-and-file in the 
department and will be able to work with the union. They may not 
always see eye-to-eye, but there's enough mutual respect there that 
they can have a good relationship.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman