Changes are underway at police department
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
PENDLETON – Last month, veteran Pendleton Police Department Corporal Ryan Lehnert retired from the force. Sgt. Jon Lehman is retiring this month. Chief Chuck Byram is working on filling the holes left by those changes and another one that he and Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston anticipated, but hoped would not become necessary.
Detective Shelly Studebaker, PPD’s community resources officer, is leaving. Her husband, HPD Lt. Randy Studebaker is battling cancer and she wants to be closer to their Hermiston home, so she is taking the same job for HPD. Byram says she will be missed.
“She’s a dogged detective,” he said. “She’s smart, she’s intuitive and just the type of person that I want to keep,” he said. “However, due to the circumstances she needs to be closer to home.”
Studebaker’s last day in Pendleton is May 6.
“She’s still part of the family,” he said. “Randy’s a part of the bigger family. This is the right move for her and we wish them well. We totally understand it.”
Promotions are planned. Corporals Mark Golter and Chris Freeman, with 35 years of law enforcement experience between them are being promoted to patrol sergeants on July 1.
“They are two valuable members of this agency,” he said. “They bring a lot of experience, time, and tenure and they will each be taking over a patrol crew.”
Another officer has agreed to take a step down in rank.
“Patrol Sgt. Brandon Gomez is voluntarily demoting and returning to criminal investigations,” Byram said. “Brandon Gomez for years worked BENT. He will be transitioning to a general law detective and he will bring a lot of experience to that room.”
There are three corporal positions open for internal promotions. Byram said he expects to have two of them filled by July 1.
Meanwhile, PPD has hired Adam Nell, who will begin training at the police academy in August and Stanfield Police Officer Alex Jensen who is already licensed. In addition, Byram said Umatilla Tribal Police Officer Jordan Williams is expected to join the department on June 1.
Byram urges people who are interested to go to the Pendleton Police Department’s website and find out about open positions and the hiring process by clicking the “Employment Opportunities” tab.
