Enterprise City Council hears from sheriff as discussion continues on future of police department
By Griffin Beach on Thursday, July 30th, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
ENTERPRISE – The Enterprise City Council held a workshop Wednesday night to look at the future of its police department, continuing a discussion that began when Police Chief Kevin McQuead announced he would step down in September.
Public feedback at a July 13 council meeting was largely in support of keeping the police department after suggestions surfaced that the city could contract with the Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.
Sheriff Ryan Moody expressed concern with the idea of cutting the police department and contracting with his office at Wednesday’s workshop, noting he only has four deputies and taking on additional duties would add more strain.
“You’re going to get a better service having a police department,” Moody said. “There’s no sheriff in the state of Oregon, I don’t think, that’s going to argue that fact.”
He reinforced that point by noting that Oregon State Police have cut their nighttime service in Wallowa County. Moody noted that the night before Wednesday’s workshop, the only law enforcement officers on duty in the county were himself and an Enterprise police officer.
“I’m not interested in signing a contract or even looking at one until we can beef up personnel,” Moody said.
McQuead agreed with Moody and advocated for using the Oregon Association of Chiefs Linebacker program, which provides experienced law enforcement officers to serve as temporary police chiefs.
“You’re losing me, but you got two great officers,” McQuead said. “Start with this Linebacker program and go from there.”
The council also reviewed budget information and call logs during Wednesday’s workshop, but took no action since the session was purely informational. The next Enterprise City Council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 10.
