Welcome to the Hermiston Police Department
Mission Statement
Without fear or favor and in partnership with our diverse community, we will create and maintain a safe environment with the reduction of crime through problem-oriented and community-based policing strategies. The quality of life for those we serve takes precedent over our individual needs.
Message from the Chief
To the citizens we serve,
The 2025 calendar year was very challenging for the women and men of the Hermiston Police Deportment (HPD). Aside from the department operating out of (4) separate locations while the main police building (from the early 1970's) undergoes a major renovation, there was a total of (29) personnel changes. This included (4) retirements, (2) resignations, (7) internal promotions, (8) in-house transfers, and (8) new members of the team being hired to serve the citizens of Hermiston.
This department would struggle if not for the partnerships we have had in place for years, such as with the Hermiston School District, who pay for 2.25 full-time school resource officers, and a newly formed partnership with the Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS). On July 1st, HPD officers started work under a defined contract with GSHCS to provide 24/7 coverage on the hospital campus and surrounding properties. Officers worked just over 4,300 hours and proactively engaged in a little more than 3,200 events. A secondary result of this contract provides 4 additional officers we can deploy throughout the community during the year.
As the chief of police, I assume the responsibility of implementing policies and procedures consistent with observable best practices across the state and nation. We closed out 2025 with a dedicated staff of 38 full-time sworn officers, 4 paid support positions, and 5 volunteers. Of our full-time paid staff, 29% are bilingual and 29% are female, meaning we can communicate with the majority of those we serve.
I continue to have a great deal of respect and adoration for our supportive citizens and for those people who visit our community of over 20,000 residents. I feel deeply honored and blessed to serve this community as your chief of police.
Sincerely,
Jason Edmiston - Chief of Police
