Our Values & Our History

Seaside Police Department offers the highest quality of Community Policing & a True Partnership with our citizens. Since A. E. Miller, Constable of the Seaside Precinct in 1898, we have provided superior policing service to our community and have assisted in achieving a prosperous city and developing one of the safest ocean side communities in Oregon. Our ongoing training, professional police force and dedicated superior dispatch division have gained Seaside Police Department the experience and commitment to excellence that has earned us the reputation as one of the best police agencies in the area. Please take the time to read our detailed history below.

Our Values

Leadership: At Seaside Police Department, you will receive the kind of quality and policing you expect from a leader. Our department is always evolving as the needs of our community change and as new opportunities are created in our area. You can rest assured that the Partnership we have in our community has developed into a small town community policing atmosphere that drives us to work as a team not as the strong arm of the law.

Teamwork: We make it our responsibility to know our citizens, the businesses and their owners and our ocean community. We work closely with other outside agencies, citizens and civic leaders to ensure that the solutions we provide are tailored to meet our communities unique needs and challenges. We are committed to the success and safe environment our citizens have come to know and respect.

Customer Relations: At Seaside Police Department, our highest priority is a satisfied community. Each and every citizen is important to us and you can expect us to go the extra mile for their needs. Superior professional service is the hallmark of Seaside Police Department. We are proud to serve our community and work hard to earn their respect and support every day.

Our History of Seaside and the Police Department

The second largest city in Clatsop County, Oregon, Seaside is the location of the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail. Seaside was established in 1860 when the Summer House was built. Seaside was incorporated in 1899. At the time of incorporation Seaside had a population of 191 and covered approximately 1.5 square miles.

The city of West Seaside was incorporated in 1905 and the two towns merged as Seaside in 1913. Seaside now covers 5 square miles with approximately 33 miles of roads. Seaside has a year-round population of approximately 6,000. The population of Seaside swells to 50,000 or more during the major holidays, or during major events. Law enforcement in Seaside began with A. E. Miller, Constable of the Seaside Precinct in 1898.

Constable Miller was followed by the assignment of Town Marshals:

Willis Eberman in 1902
Charles E. White 1904 to 1907
John Utinzenger 1910
John Mudge 1912
G.E. Shaver 1914
V.J. Miller 1915

In 1921 Seaside Police Department was established. The first Police Chief was E. I. McCauley. Since that time, the Seaside Police Department has been under the direction of the following Chiefs:

Dick Brown 1936
Harry Kemmerer 1938 to 1950
Sid Smith 1950 to 1960
John Yarmonchik 1962
Ken Healea 1964 to 1973
Ron Willis 1973
John West 1974 - 1994
Kenneth Almberg 1994 - (Retired) 2005

Robert (Bob) Gross 2005 - Current

The Department currently has 18 full-time officers, including: Chief, 1 Lieutenant, 3 Sergeants, 1 Detective Sergeant, 1 Narcotics Detective, and 15 patrol positions. There are 10 sworn reserve officer positions, 7 full and part-time Communications / Dispatch positions, and 1 Communications Supervisor. Seaside Police Department is a full service law enforcement agency with 24 hour patrol, communications coverage and 911 service. Seaside's 911 Communication center services 3 law enforcement agencies, 5 fire agencies, 4 communities and rural southern Clatsop county. The total permanent population for communities served is 14,000 and an estimated 7,000 in rural population.

A motorcycle patrol with 3 certified motor officers using 2 Harley-Davidson Road King police motorcycles operates throughout the tourist season and during the rest of the year as needed.

A Bicycle Patrol operates during the major tourist season which provides faster response time to calls in the center of town during high traffic times and high visibility of law enforcement in crowded areas.

A tactical High Risk Response Team consisting of 1 Sergeant and 5 team members works closely with the Narcotics Detective in drug interdiction
and warrant service. The team also stands ready to provide service during any high risk
situation. Seaside is the host to numerous conferences and conventions held at the Seaside Convention Center and conference facilities located within the two largest motels in the city. Normal temperatures range from 36 F to 50 F in January to 52 F to 70 F in July. Annual precipitation is approximately 75 inches.

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