Jackson Co. Sheriff stepping down for Gresham P.D. position

Update (11/16/16 1:45 p.m.) — Days after NBC5 News told you Jackson County Sheriff Corey Falls might be leaving the county, it’s official. Falls is joining the Gresham Police Department as Director of Police Services and 21st Century Policing.

In a press release from the City of Gresham, Falls said, “I’m extremely excited to join the team and take part in this innovative approach to policing the City of Gresham is implementing. I look forward to working with Chief Sells and City leadership to continue the great service the City provides.”

Sheriff Falls confirmed to NBC5 News over the phone that he is accepting the Gresham position. He declined an on-camera interview request.

In a media release, Falls wrote in part, “As a kid who grew up in Jackson County this decision has weighed heavily on me but it is the best decision for my family.  I want to thank the citizens of Jackson County for allowing me to serve as your Sheriff over the past two years.  I also want to thank all the men and women at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.  They have been open and receptive to the many improved professional changes we have made.  It has been a pleasure working with them.”

You can read the entire statement HERE.


Jackson County, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff Corey Falls is responding to rumors–from both inside his own headquarters and county offices–that he is stepping down and joining the Gresham Police Department.

The Gresham Police Department is in the process of hiring a new chief of police, and while the city could not confirm current Jackson County Sheriff Corey Falls is a finalist, it says it will likely name the city’s next chief this week

One source said Sheriff Falls was resigning in order to move and take a job up north, but that has not been confirmed. No one is answering inquiries at the moment.

In a series of texts to NBC5 News, Sheriff Falls said he has not accepted a new job, and rumors that he has already resigned from the agency are not true.

However, Falls would not confirm whether he is in the running for another job, or if he has plans to leave in the near future.

Falls was elected for a 4-year term in 2014, and took office in January of last year.

NBC5 News spoke with former commissioner and Jackson County Sheriff, C.W. Smith about the process.

He said if Falls were to leave, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners would appoint someone in the interim much like any vacancy for an elected position.

County commissioners have to move within a certain period of time.

In this case the sheriff is non-partisan or not considered partisan, so it’s a whole different ball game, so it’s an abbreviated process.

And though Falls is not commenting at this point, a position in Multnomah County would allow him to be closer to his daughter Jasmine who accepted a scholarship to play basketball at Portland State last November.

Jackson County commissioners say while they have heard the claims, Sheriff Falls has not told them he is leaving. According to Jackson County charter, if a sheriff were to resign, the interim sheriff would serve until the next general election in November of 2018.

 

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