By Mary Owen
The recent resignation of Stayton Police Chief Rich Sebens has been met with mixed emotions.
“I am shocked and appalled that two police careers were ended,” Cari Sessums, co-owner of the Covered Bridge Café, told the city council at its Aug. 19 meeting.
“I can’t fathom what is happening within the city,” she said of Sebens resigning and Captain Charlie Buttons resignation just after. “I just feel like there is havoc being wreaked.”
Sessums asked city councilors and Mayor Hank Porter to speak on the matter.
“The last three or four meetings I’ve attended, you are not listening to us,” she said. “I want you to be a part of the solution for our city, and not make it for your personal opinions and agendas.”
Stayton business owner and former councilor James Loftus called Sebens and Buttons “two of the finest officers I’ve ever had the opportunity to know.
“I’m extremely disappointed in the decision process, and that you didn’t let the public know,” he told the council. “There are a lot of red flags going on right now.”
CERT team leader Jamie Mattison added, “Having some of our best officers being kicked to the curb after all their years of service is just gut-wrenching.”
On the flip side, resident Frank Hubbard said, “I cannot for the life of me figure out what all of you people are complaining about. There must have been a reason” behind the resignation, “but the city can’t tell you what the reason is because they’d be in trouble with the state. This is just nonsense.”
Kelly Schreiber, former executive director of the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce, suggested “lots of politics” are involved in the recent upsets with police personnel and other city employees stepping down.
“I adore Rich, and I have admired his kind and gentle demeanor over the years,” she told Our Town.” Sebens’ resignation, she said, “[It] makes my heart sad.”
Mayor Porter said perceptions in the community were not matching the reality of the situation.
“We are interested in what we can
do better to rectify this perception,”
Porter said.
In a recent press release, Chief Sebens had the following to say about his decision to resign: “I would like to thank the City and community of Stayton for the opportunity to serve you for the past 20 years and your police chief for the past 10 years.”
Over the years, Sebens served in the role of a patrol officer, school resource officer, patrol sergeant, lieutenant and police chief. In 2009, he attended and graduated from the FBI Academy and obtained Advanced Police and Executive certifications. He also functioned as the City Emergency Manager and sat on numerous local and state oversight boards and committees.
Stayton City Manager Keith Campbell limited his comments to a press release issued about the resignation: “I want to thank Police Chief Sebens for his service to the people of Stayton and wish him the very best in the future.”
Meanwhile, the city has appointed Ty Hanlon as interim police chief and David Frisendahl as interim deputy police chief.
“I am honored to be able to appoint two distinguished police officers to oversee and lead our police operations during this transition,” Campbell said.
Hanlon has 24 years of police experience. He spent almost 15 years in Beaverton and almost 10 with the City of Sherwood, the last seven years as a captain.
Frisendahl comes to Stayton with more than 28 years of experience. He spent 25 years with the City of Tigard, including four as sergeant and five years as lieutenant.
A nationwide search has been instituted to find a permanent replacements.
For more information on how to apply, visit www.policechief.org/resources//
job-center/.
