Estacada police chief: school resource officer will patrol this summer; new deputy delayed to September

Chief Mendoza, Estacada’s police chief, told the Traffic and Public Safety Committee that the department will reassign its school resource officer (SRO) to patrol duties over the summer to provide additional coverage.

"This summer, our SRO ... is going to be moved to ... patrol and helping out our patrol deputies," Chief Mendoza said, explaining the reassignment is intended to increase on‑street presence while school is out.

He also reported a staffing delay for a newly hired deputy. Mendoza said a few recruits did not complete the department’s training process, so the city’s new deputy will not begin until the department’s next scheduling cycle in September. "We're still moving ahead with a new deputy, but it'll be September," he said.

Committee members raised recent incidents and requested follow up. A committee member asked whether the investigation into a collision on Surface Road — described as a T‑bone crash near milepost 224 that occurred about three weeks earlier — was resolved. Chief Mendoza said he would look into the case and return with a conclusion, but he did not provide an on‑the‑record outcome during the meeting.

Committee members also noted a larger law‑enforcement response to a separate incident near Lehi Flats involving a suspect with a firearm; Mendoza confirmed there was a "large response" and said the incident remains under investigation. He added that deputies were generally doing well and that some officers sustained injuries but there had been "no loss of life."

The committee discussed visible patrol presence around school zones. Mendoza said deputies are watching school zones and that a deputy recently conducted targeted traffic enforcement near a school property. He said the department also may deploy a speed‑feedback sign to gather speed data in trouble spots.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (April 15): The committee approved the consent agenda by voice vote. Motion to approve was moved and seconded on the record; the committee voted "aye" and the motion passed.

Why it matters: The SRO reassignment and the delayed start for a new deputy affect how police resources will be distributed this summer and into the fall. Committee members seeking follow‑up on recent crashes and large responses highlight continued community interest in incident resolution and traffic safety.

What’s next: Chief Mendoza said he would follow up on the Surface Road crash investigation and report back to the committee.