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Police commission approves emergency‑vehicle and officer‑response policy updates; trespass‑letter program extended to two‑year renewals
Summary
The commission unanimously approved revisions to emergency‑vehicle operations (policy 4‑16) and officer‑response definitions (policy 4‑11), and heard staff describe changes to the trespass‑letter program, which now renews commercial letters every two years and requires signage; staff reported increased enforcement outcomes.
The Eugene Police Commission approved multiple operational policy updates at its November meeting, voting unanimously to adopt revisions to emergency‑vehicle operations (policy 4‑16) and a reworked officer‑response policy (policy 4‑11) that clarifies code 1/2/3 definitions, response expectations, and training requirements.
Sgt. Nate Pesky, a subject‑matter expert on emergency driving and academy training, told commissioners that a code‑2 response is taught as a covert or limited emergency response (similar to a code‑3 lights‑and‑siren run but with tactical discretion based on time and surroundings) and emphasized the legal and safety principle of driving with "due regard." Commissioners suggested minor edits for clarity and capitalization; the revised 4‑16 was approved as amended.
The officer‑response policy (4‑11) was presented as a comprehensive rewrite to align with current practices and Oregon statutory language; the commission moved, seconded and approved it without recorded opposition. Commissioners and staff discussed liability, training and how discretion is exercised in the field.
Staff also described the trespass‑letter program administered by the community engagement unit. Sherry Nelson and program specialist Jeff Blonde explained that the city now renews trespass letters every two years for commercial properties, requires clear signage on all sides of participating properties, and adds letters to an internally accessible database so officers and dispatchers can verify status quickly. Staff said outreach (including automated renewal reminders and planned business town halls) is underway to reduce expired or bounced renewal notices.
Community‑engagement staff provided preliminary outcome data: calls for trespass responses have become a focus of enforcement, and one recent quarter showed an 81% increase in trespass calls that resulted in charges compared with 2024. Staff offered to provide detailed counts to commissioners after the meeting.
Commissioners praised the subject‑matter experts and staff for the revisions and for the trespass‑letter outreach work. The meeting concluded with unanimous votes to adopt the revised policies and adjournment.
