Pendleton Police Department

08/25/2026

It is NEVER okay to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing. Those flashing lights mean children may be getting on or off the bus and could be crossing the roadway.

Do you have a new driver in your home? Now is a great time to give them a friendly reminder about school bus safety. They’ll be sharing the road with school buses, students, parents, bicyclists and a lot more traffic this coming week.

Slow down, stay alert, and give yourself a little extra time. A few extra seconds of patience can help keep our kids safe

08/24/2026

IT’S THAT TIME ONCE AGAIN — BACK TO SCHOOL!!

We hope everyone had a great summer creating fun memories with family and friends! Now it’s time to head back to the classroom and start making new memories with new teachers, old friends, and new friends!

School is back in session Thursday, August 27th!

As our students head back to school, we’re asking everyone to slow down and pay a little extra attention -
Obey school zone speed limits
Watch for students at crosswalks and bus stops
Be alert for school buses and flashing lights
Put the phone down and stay focused on the road
Give yourself a few extra minutes during drop-off and pick-up times

Please slow down, stay alert, and help us make sure every student gets to school and back home safely.

Have a GREAT first day of school, Pendleton!

08/19/2026

WELCOME TO PPD, OFFICER COLE YOUNGER!

Tonight, Cole Younger was officially sworn in as a Pendleton Police Officer by Mayor McDonald and Chief Nelson!

We’re excited to welcome Officer Younger and his family to the Pendleton Police Department family.

Officer Younger will soon head to Salem for 16 weeks of DPSST training, where he’ll begin the next chapter of his law enforcement career.

Please join us in congratulating Officer Younger and wishing him the very best as he heads to the academy! We look forward to having him back in Pendleton and serving our community.

08/14/2026

UPDATE!!! August 18, 2026….both juveniles have been located and are safe. Thank you everyone for your help!!

MISSING ENDANGERED JUVENILE – PLEASE SHARE

The Pendleton Police Department is actively seeking the public’s assistance in locating Jazmine Julieann PAYNE, age 13, who has been reported as a runaway. Due to her age, Jazmine is considered Missing Endangered.

Jazmine was last seen August 13, 2026, at approximately 1:30 a.m., leaving her residence. She was last known to be wearing a pink tank top and dark pants.

Jazmine may be in the company of Lakesha Jeanette PAGE, age 17, who has also been reported as a runaway. Their current whereabouts and direction of travel are unknown.

PHOTO IDENTIFICATION:
• Jazmine PAYNE – blonde
• Lakesha PAGE – brunette

PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME SOMEONE ELSE HAS CALLED. If you have seen Jazmine or Lakesha, know where they may be staying, or have any information that could assist officers in locating them, please contact the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency dispatch center at 541-966-3651.

Please SHARE this post to help us bring these juveniles home safely.

08/13/2026

Our neighbors are hiring!

🚔 READY FOR YOUR NEXT MOVE? 🚔

Ready to bring your experience to a department that values its people and its community? Your Hermiston Police Department is hiring! 👮‍♂️👮‍♀️

We will be establishing hiring eligibility lists for BOTH Lateral and Entry-Level Police Officer positions — with preference given to qualified lateral applicants!

💰 Up to $140,360 with maximum incentives
🚓 Take-home patrol vehicle
📅 Every other Friday–Sunday off
🎓 Education & specialty assignment pay
🗣️ 5% bilingual pay
🏥 Excellent benefits & retirement
📝 No written test for lateral applicants!

Whether you're an experienced officer ready for your next move or looking to begin your law enforcement career, we want to hear from you!

Bring your experience. Start your career. Build your future with HPD.

➡️ Apply today: hermiston.gov/police

*Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM Friday, August 28, 2026*

08/11/2026

🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT – SOUTHGATE AREA 🚨

Please AVOID THE SOUTHGATE AREA if at all possible due to a traffic crash currently impacting the roadway.

⚠️ Expect significant traffic delays for at least the next 2–3 hours.

Allow extra travel time, and give emergency personnel plenty of room to work safely.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation.

08/03/2026

During July, Pendleton Police Department personnel handled 2,587 total incidents throughout our community.

A look at the month by the numbers:

1,242 calls for service
1,345 officer-initiated incidents
323 traffic stops
413 business and building checks
144 vehicle and pedestrian checks
273 officer cases
128 misdemeanor and felony arrests
125 citations issued

These statistics represent the daily work of our officers as they respond to calls, conduct proactive patrols, investigate cases and help keep Pendleton safe.

08/03/2026

As wildfires continue to impact communities across our region, the Pendleton Police Department would like to extend our heartfelt thoughts and support to everyone affected.

To the families who have lost homes, family cabins, farmland, livestock, cherished property, or places filled with generations of memories—our hearts are with you. While buildings and belongings can be replaced, we know the memories tied to them are truly priceless. The resilience of our rural communities has always been one of our greatest strengths, and we know neighbors will continue to stand beside one another through this difficult time.

We also want to express our sincere gratitude to the firefighters, law enforcement officers, dispatchers, public works crews, utility workers, and countless volunteers who continue working tirelessly to protect lives, property, and our communities. One of our own, Officer Andrew Moran/Oregon National Guard 1st Lieutenant Moran, has also accepted the call to duty with the National Guard and was able to send us these pictures from the air.

From all of us at the Pendleton Police Department, please stay safe, heed evacuation notices, and know that our thoughts are with you.

07/29/2026

Officer Richmond and Officer Bridges made a sweet stop at Pioneer Park today to support a couple of very special young baristas! 🍋💙

Nothing beats an ice-cold glass of lemonade on a warm summer day, especially when it's served with big smiles and plenty of hard work. Thank you to these young entrepreneurs for the refreshing treat—we're always happy to support our community, one cup at a time!

07/29/2026

Lately, we have received several calls from vehicle owners who were surprised to find their vehicles notified for parking the wrong way—often followed by, “But I’ve been parking like this for years!”

Consider yourself lucky—this is your friendly reminder!

Under Oregon law, vehicles parked on a two-way street must face the same direction as traffic. The vehicle’s right-hand wheels must be parallel to and within 12 inches of the right curb or as close as possible to the right edge of the roadway.

Wrong-way parking is not only illegal—it is also dangerous. It forces drivers to pull into traffic facing the wrong direction, creates blind spots, reduces visibility, and increases the risk of a collision. At night, headlights, taillights, and reflectors are also designed to be visible when a vehicle is parked in the proper direction.

Please park with the flow of traffic and help keep our streets safe.