Stayton has a new police chief after Gwen Johns, a police captain, was sworn in following the retirement of former Police Chief Dave Frisendahl.
Police Chief Johns assumed her position during a ceremony Nov. 28 at the Stayton Police Department attended by local leaders and police officials from throughout the area.
Johns told Our Town it has been her pleasure to work with local residents and city staff, and she looks forward to leading the department as it recruits and trains new officers.
“I am privileged to be entrusted with leading the Stayton Police Department,” said Johns. “We have a dedicated team that has a strong work ethic and connection to the Stayton community. I look forward to expanding on our professional growth as an agency.”
Johns joined the Stayton Police Department in May of 2020 after serving three decades in law enforcement, first with Marion County Parole and Probation, then with the Newberg-Dundee Police Department.
Her roles have included field training officer, D.A.R.E. officer, deputy medical examiner, and a driving instructor with the state police academy.
In addition to police work, Johns has been active in volunteerism, including with the Safety Town youth camp, Camp Rosenbaum, and as an official law enforcement torch runner for the Oregon Special Olympics. She said she plans to continue her volunteer work, saying it has been “a huge part of my life and career.”
City Manager Julia Hajduk said, among several applicants interviewed for the job, Johns was best suited for the job given her long history in law enforcement and the “professionalism and commitment to the community” Johns displayed while in Stayton.
Frisendahl retired Nov. 15 after 32 years in law enforcement, and had been with Stayton since 2019.
