Building our team

A safer Gresham now and in the future 

The community’s investment in public safety is making a real difference.  

The levy has provided essential resources, such as additional background investigators and administrative support to accelerate hiring, while also helping us maintain the staffing levels needed to ensure safety.

With a police-focused recruiting strategy and team now in place, candidates are showing strong interest in Gresham. Each day, the department is actively working to bring on new officers and strengthen public safety, responding directly to the evolving needs of our community. 

"One of the most encouraging signs is that we now have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which puts us in a stronger position than before. While it still takes time to hire, certify, and train new officers before they can officially fill patrol shifts, those processes are all in motion. Each step brings us closer to having the staffing levels we need."

– Claudio Grandjean, Retired Gresham Police Captain, former Interim Police Chief, current background investigator

The journey to solo patrol: a 10–12-month process 

The levy reinforces the entire training pipeline that prepares our officers for patrol. Every entry-level officer follows a structured path taking 10–12 months, ensuring they are ready to meet community needs on day one. 

• Oath of Office: A formal commitment to protect and serve. 
• Academy training: Foundational law enforcement education and skills development. 
• Field training: Guided, hands-on experience with veteran officers. 
• Solo patrol: Fully equipped and ready to serve the community. 

Hiring at a glance 

July 1, 2024 – May 1, 2025

• 12 new police officers in various stages of training.
• Of those 12, four officers have completed their training and are serving the community on patrol.
• Three new community safety specialists.