Darling says he’s prepared to bring stability to a police department that lost its last two chiefs under controversial circumstances, "I’m gathering input from the community, as well as internally from the officers and staff, trying to find out what their expectations are, and trying to be extremely consistent in operational needs and the vision that we have the mission that we’re going to set an go forward." Darling served as interim chief for several months after former Chief Marc Mills was put on leave and subsequently resigned. 

 

He says he’s still adjusting to his new department, "[They're] Very much engaged with the community. And, we were in Bend, as well; but, it’s a little bit different for us down here. The call load is definitely different from Bend, so just trying to figure out where we are as an agency, what our vision and our mission is and go from there." Chief Darling says it’s nice to finally drop “interim” from his title, "I feel that I have the power to make the decisions that I need to make to move forward. As interim chief, you’re just trying to make it from week to week and keep the wheels going. There are a lot of things you have to take into consideration – you know, you’re coming in as an interim chief halfway through a budget." Darling thought he might eventually become a chief somewhere, and he tells KBND News his former boss, Bend Police Chief Jim Porter, was supportive of his aspirations. 

 

Thursday's swearing in ceremony is at 3 p.m. at the Fire Department Training Room (57475 Abbot Drive, Sunriver).