About the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association

The Oregon State Sheriffs' Association was formed in 1916 to give Oregon Sheriffs a single, effective voice --- every sheriff working diligently with their fellow sheriffs through the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association to update and improve their profession and to elevate the entire law enforcement system through cooperation with all other enforcement agencies from the FBI to the one-man police departments.

The Oregon sheriffs and the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association have six major goals which they are constantly striving to attain:

1. Keeping up with police science and technology and providing appropriate educational programs for law enforcement personnel and the general public.

2. Maintaining a role of sheriff as the chief law enforcement officer in the county.

3. Developing and maintaining a public image that will permit the citizens to have confidence in the sheriff's ability to meet modern police problems.

4. Working together to solve the problems of all Oregon sheriffs and meet the challenges collectively.

5. Provide scholarships to worthy second year law enforcement/corrections students.

6. Provide permanent and satellite historical museums of Oregon sheriff memorabilia.

Oregon State Sheriffs' Association is entirely funded by the generous contributions and support from our membership. We are a qualified, non-profit organization under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code, which means that your donations qualify as tax deductions. The sheriffs of Oregon have full control and direction of all association operations and activities. All money contributed goes directly to Oregon State Sheriffs' Associations's programs and operations, and stays in local Oregon communities.

The need for strong and effective law enforcement continues to increase, while funding to support that need continues its spiral downward. Funding from state and federal sources for many key local law enforcement programs is all but non-existent. The Oregon State Sheriffs' Association is now the only organization providing many critical programs, and all are solely funded by generous membership contributions.

Honorary Membership is in the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association gives you more than just a tax break, your dues and support helps all Oregonians live safer.

Please contact us for more information.

Oregon State Sheriffs' Association
1-800-624-4405

The Sheriff's Code of Ethics

As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all mankind to liberty, equality and justice.

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others, honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life. I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or what is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of law enforcement. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession... law enforcement.

Annual Programs

32 Scholarships Awarded
2 Civil Schools
Civil Process Manual Publication
2 Tracking Seminars
2 Workshops
1 Informative Conference
2 Livestock Investigation Schools
Deputy Sheriff Academy
Child Abuse/Drug Abuse Prevention Programs
Jail Manager Workshops
Correction Officer Scholarships
Museum Displays
New Sheriff Orientation Schools
State Fair Exhibition
Quarterly Magazine
Victim/Witness Assistance Seminars
Inter-agency Hazardous Material Training
Search and Rescue Training
Prisoner Transport Conference

Annual Assistance to:

Board on Public Safety Standards and Training
Oregon Council Against Arson
Games for the Physically Limited
Explorer Scouts
Law Enforcement Data Systems
Oregon Emergency Management
Oregon Marine Board
911 Advisory Board
Governor's Adv. Board on Community Corrections
Oregon Criminal Justice Council
Governor's Adv. Board on Medical Examiners