City of Hood River

News

General Information

The police department is located at the corner of Second and State Street in the lower level of the old City Hall Building.

The Hood River Police Department was established in 1895. The department currently consists of 15 certified police officers including Chief, Lieutenant, 3 Sergeants, 1 Criminal Detective, 1 Narcotics Detective, and 8 patrol officers. The department also employs 3 Non-Sworn members including a Community Service Officer, an Administrative Assistant, and a Parking Enforcement Officer.

The Department provides police services to the City of Hood River which is comprised of 3 square miles of residential, business, industrial and recreational properties. Hood River has a population of approximately 6500 full time residents. The City welcomes a large influx of tourists and outdoor recreational enthusiasts looking to experience the vast natural wonders, and recreational and sporting opportunities that the Columbia Gorge has to offer.

Hood River is located about 60 miles east of Portland on the banks of the Columbia River. The city is nestled in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, with its picturesque views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams, Hood River offers abundant access to outdoor activities that have outdoorsmen, athletes, and people who appreciate natural beauty, visiting us from all over the world.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Hood River Police Department is to create a safe and comfortable community in which people can live, work, and visit. We will strive to work with all citizens to preserve life, maintain human rights, and protect property and will hold ourselves accountable to community, state and national professional standards. We recognize that our most valuable resource is our people and will strive to create a productive working atmosphere by facilitating positive police-citizen contacts. We pledge to understand, accept, and be aligned with the responsibilities of this mission and we will serve the people of this community striving for excellence in all that we do.

Pause

Message from the Chief
The Hood River Police Department is dedicated to providing excellent customer service to its residents, businesses, workers, and visitors. Our vision, mission and values – found elsewhere on this site – keep us grounded in our pursuit of excellence. We recognize our obligation to provide excellent customer service even though we might not always be able to do what the customer wants. I am proud to lead our agency in this pursuit.
The members of the Hood River Police Department come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. This diversity within our ranks is a tremendous asset to our community. We are able to communicate and interact with all sorts of people and groups in large part due to the varied experiences of our members. We constantly reevaluate our effectiveness, communications, and services to ensure we are meeting the needs of our community. This can only be accomplished by utilizing all the skills, experiences, and knowledge of our members.
The community of Hood River is amazing in a number of ways. People here are very friendly and welcoming. The level of participation in service groups, community events, and social programs is highly commendable, especially for a relatively small community. Hood River has a diverse assortment of businesses and excellent restaurants. Although it has a number of gray cloudy – yes, even rainy – days, it is a beautiful place to live with views of two mountains and a couple of rivers. Like many small communities it has its share of growth challenges, but City Staff and City Council works hard to sort through the issues. Most importantly, Hood River is a place where people feel safe to live and raise families. I’m pleased to be a part of this community.
It is important to the community and to the Hood River Police Department that I be responsive to the needs of the community. To that end I have a small group of citizens who participate in an informal monthly citizen’s advisory panel. I also rely on community members to voice their concerns directly to me. While I may not always be immediately available, I can be reached by calling the police department at 541.387.5256 or by email.
Chief Bruce D Ludwig