MCSO issues statement regarding Irrigon law enforcement

MORROW COUNTY – The following is a statement from Morrow County Sheriff Ken Matlack and Undersheriff John Bowles

The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office has contracted with the city of Irrigon for 18

years to provide police services, code enforcement and animal control. It has

been a pleasure serving the citizens of Irrigon and by working together, over the

years we have seen a lot of improvements in reduced crime and improved

livability in the city. The City of Irrigon has chosen to terminate the law

enforcement contract as of July 01, 2022 and will start their own Police

Department.

The Sheriff’s Office priority is safety, security and livability for all morrow county

residents and visitors. In each of the 36 counties in Oregon, the sheriff is the chief

law enforcement officer. Their primary duty is to give full police protection to the

unincorporated areas of the county. However, they maintain full police

jurisdiction in all municipalities.

So, what does this mean?

This means the sheriff and his deputies can enforce state laws in any city in the

county. If a city has their own police, the sheriff and his deputies can assist the

city police when needed, but the city police is the primary in their city. If the city

police are off duty and an emergency call is reported, they should be called out as

the primary law enforcement in the city and may be assisted by county deputies.

If a city doesn’t have a police force then the sheriff or deputies will respond to

person crimes and in progress crimes as resources allow.