The Fairview Police Department will consolidate with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office after the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the formal agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and City of Fairview on Thursday, July 13.
The Board of Commissioners voted in favor of Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office providing law enforcement services to Fairview.
Under the 10-year contract the City of Fairview will pay Multnomah County $2 million annually for public safety services through the Sheriff’s Office. The merger means eleven officers and three sergeants will be sworn in to serve in the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, along with two non-sworn employees who will be integrated into positions with MCSO. The contract goes into effect Aug. 1, which is when the officers and sergeants who patrol Fairview will become deputies and sergeants with the Sheriff’s Office.
As part of the expanded service level in Fairview, Sheriff’s Office supervisors will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Fairview Mayor Ted Tosterud told the board he supported the merger, adding that the Fairview City Council voted 6-1 in favor of entering an intergovernmental agreement on June 21.
Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese also told the Board he supported the consolidation, as well.
“I am pleased the City of Fairview has entrusted MCSO to provide law enforcement services in their community, and I am thankful for all of the hard work that has gone into making this consolidation a reality,” Sheriff Reese said.
Conversations about a merger of the Sheriff’s Office and the City of Fairview began more than a year ago after the neighboring City of Troutdale completed its agreement to merge its police force with the Sheriff’s Office.
In Spring 2016, Fairview and Multnomah County entered into a contract for law enforcement services, which was extended in February while consolidation negotiations continued.
The City of Fairview held five community forums and additional work sessions to educate the public and gain stakeholder feedback.
