County gets new police vehicles, Pendleton is out of luck for a year

Police cars are in the news for both the Pendleton Police Department and Umatilla County. The sheriff’s office will be getting nine new vehicles under the county’s fleet management program. Meanwhile, Pendleton is unable to purchase the three vehicles it has budgeted for 2024 due to shortages.

PPD Chief Chuck Byram said he’s turning over his and another Crown Victoria which are both pursuit rated and have less than 50,000 miles, for use by the patrol division. To replace the Crown Vic he was using, the city has purchased a civilian vehicle for Byram to use when he returns from hip surgery.

He’s hoping to get three new cars in 2025.

“One is for the K9 officer who has well over 100,000 miles on his vehicle and it’s starting to break down, Byram said. “The two more will supplement the patrol fleet and get the aging ones out of there. They’re going to have over 100,000 miles by this time next year.”

The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office is selling one of its vehicles to the Pilot Rock Police Department. The vehicle in question is a 2019 Ford Explorer Interceptor with a little over 77,000 miles. The city of Pilot Rock is purchasing that vehicle for $22,000.

Umatilla County leases its fleet of vehicles. Last week the board approved four-year leases for nine new vehicles for the sheriff’s office. The lease agreement will see the county pay $177,394.79 annually for four years. The vehicles include three Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicles, three Jeep Grand Cherokees, and three pickup trucks.

Meanwhile, Umatilla County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dan Dorran got the green light for the purchase of an electric vehicle, which will be paid for with grant funding. It’s estimated the 3LT Chevrolet Equinox he will use as a county car will cost no more than $45,000. Dorran and Commissioner John Shafer voted in favor of the purchase, while Commissioner Cindy Timmons was opposed.

---

Elkhorn Media Group

---

---