Beaverton could temporarily lose its deputy police chief to a city of about 2,000 people, 350 miles away in Eastern Oregon.
The Beaverton City Council is set to vote Thursday, Oct. 22, on an intergovernmental agreement with Enterprise, the Wallowa County seat. The deal would send Deputy Chief Alan Juilfs there to serve as interim police chief for six months. The item is on the council's consent agenda.
Enterprise has been without a permanent chief since Kevin McQuead's departure, effective Sept. 3. The East Oregonian reported that McQuead submitted his resignation at a June council meeting; the Beaverton agenda bill describes his departure as a retirement. McQuead had served as chief since 2021.
His exit left the department with just two officers as of July, according to the East Oregonian. About 50 people packed an Enterprise council meeting July 13 to question the department's future.
The small city turned to the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and its Interim Executive Leadership Program, known as the "Linebacker" program. The statewide program connects cities facing a police chief vacancy with experienced commanders who can step in during a search for a permanent hire.
Enterprise contacted the Beaverton Police Department through the OACP and requested assistance, according to the agenda bill submitted by Beaverton Police Chief Stacy Jepson. The Wallowa County Chieftain reported Sept. 24 that the Enterprise City Council voted unanimously to authorize City Administrator Zak Bradshaw to negotiate the agreement.
Under the proposed deal, Enterprise would reimburse Beaverton for the full cost of Juilfs' salary, benefits, retirement contributions and workers' compensation. The draft agreement caps total reimbursement at $75,000 over six months, though some financial terms appear unfinalized in the document. Beaverton would invoice Enterprise monthly, with payment due within 30 days.
Juilfs would remain a Beaverton employee throughout. Enterprise takes on no direct salary or benefit obligations beyond the reimbursement. The city would provide Juilfs with a police vehicle, uniforms, equipment and two weeks of lodging.
The agreement runs through April 5, 2027. Either city can end it with 30 days' written notice. The agenda bill states the arrangement will not affect Beaverton Police Department operations. Enterprise bears liability for Juilfs' actions while he serves as its interim chief under the Oregon Tort Claims Act.
Enterprise's policing costs have been a sore point. Councilor David Elliott, the council's longest-serving member, said at the July meeting that the department's budget had doubled over 15 years. "Are we really serving the citizens of Enterprise?" Elliott asked, according to the East Oregonian.
Juilfs brings more than 20 years of law enforcement experience at Beaverton PD, including roles overseeing crisis negotiations and mental health response, according to the Wallowa County Chieftain.
The Oct. 22 council meeting is open to the public. Residents who want to comment on the agreement can ask that the item be pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion.
