Mike Krantz, City of Bend Police Chief

Hello,

My name is Mike Krantz. I was sworn in on August 10 as your new chief of police. I am proud to be the 10th police chief in Bend and am looking forward to building on the strong foundation of trust that the Bend Police Department has worked so hard to establish here. 

As many of you already may know, on my third day at work here, I responded to a large public First Amendment event involving an immigration detainment and responding federal agents. This occurred before I could even get to know my team and or learn the software systems we use at the City. This week was truly a learning experience for me and allowed me to get to know a lot about this community in a very short time.

As I said on the night of the event and continue to be grateful for, I was thankful for the people who were there to express their rights in a peaceful way. The example they provided is a roadmap to safe expression for all communities. I know how polarizing feelings and beliefs are around immigration; however, I feel that the peaceful expression galvanized the Bend community and did show others what can be done without violence.

I look forward to the coming months when I will be able to spend time getting to know the incredible community members who work inside the Bend Police Department. I am also looking forward to getting to know and creating relationships with the people in our welcoming and beautiful town and the greater Central Oregon area.

I am committed to being inclusive in moving forward with all community members, to developing partnerships and relationships in an effort to evolve as a police department that will continue to serve Bend’s needs, reflect the values of Bend and increase overall public safety.

Engagement from the community is important to work through needed changes. This work and collaboration with the community will continue to grow trust and increase the legitimacy of public safety throughout the country and in every community. 

I’m honored to lead the Bend Police Department as it continues its nationally-renowned work in community-based policing and to advance its diversity and inclusion work.

-- Mike Krantz, Police Chief