The City of Rogue River is celebrating a major achievement after Police Chief Dave Rash was recognized by the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police as Oregon’s Police Chief of the Year during the organization’s annual conference held May 14 in Pendleton.
The statewide honor recognizes more than three decades of service in law enforcement and highlights Chief Rash’s recent efforts to rebuild and strengthen the Rogue River Police Department during a period of significant change for the small Southern Oregon community.
According to information released by the city, Rash has more than 34 years of law enforcement experience and was selected for the award based on both his long-term career accomplishments and the rapid progress made within the Rogue River Police Department since taking over leadership of the agency just over two years ago.
City officials said one of the most notable accomplishments under Rash’s leadership was bringing the department to full staffing levels for the first time in more than ten years. In many rural communities throughout Oregon, recruiting and retaining officers has become increasingly difficult as departments compete for limited staffing resources and face rising operational costs. Rogue River, like many small cities, has worked through those challenges while attempting to maintain consistent public safety services for residents.
The recognition also highlighted the department’s achievement of certification through the Northwest Accreditation Alliance, a process designed to ensure agencies meet professional standards in areas including policies, training, accountability, and operational procedures. In addition, every officer within the department reportedly achieved the highest level of certification through Oregon’s Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, commonly known as DPSST.
Beyond local department improvements, Rash was also recognized for expanding regional law enforcement cooperation throughout Southern Oregon. The announcement credited him with helping create additional training opportunities and improving collaboration between agencies in both Josephine County and Jackson County. Those partnerships are increasingly important for smaller departments that often rely on shared resources, coordinated response efforts, and joint training programs to manage public safety needs across rural areas.
Before arriving in Rogue River, Rash served as police chief in Hubbard, Oregon, where he was recognized for emphasizing community-based policing and building stronger relationships between law enforcement, schools, businesses, and residents. City officials stated that his leadership style has consistently focused on long-term trust building, fiscal responsibility, and investment in officer development.
The award announcement also acknowledged Rash’s involvement with statewide professional organizations, including the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police and the FBI National Academy Associates. Officials noted that his work with those organizations has centered on strengthening professional relationships within law enforcement and creating opportunities for mentorship and continued training for future officers and agency leaders.
For the City of Rogue River, the recognition represents more than an individual achievement. Local officials view the award as a reflection of the city’s broader efforts to stabilize and modernize its police department while improving public confidence and regional cooperation.
In communities across Southern Oregon, where small police agencies often operate with limited personnel and tight budgets, statewide recognition of leadership and organizational progress carries significant weight. For Rogue River residents, the honor places the city and its police department in the spotlight for positive reasons and highlights a period of rebuilding and renewed focus on professional standards within local law enforcement.