New Uniform for New Times in Oregon City

Oregon City Police Detective Sergeant Jim Band designed the new patch which shows the Oregon City Bridge with the Willamette Falls in the background.

Photos: Oregon City Police

(OREGON CITY) - After 4 decades the Oregon City Police Department has decided to get a new look. For 2007. The police department has gone to a single colored midnight blue uniform with a new patch.

The Oregon City Police Department was established in 1850. It was the first police department west of the Rockies.

The department has had several uniforms, patches, and badges since its inception. This summer the police department changed it's uniform for the first time since 1965.

Robert Chester was the Chief of Police from 1965 to 1977. The Oregon City Police Department had about 19 police officers at the time. The city's population was around 8,300.

Chief Chester decided to outfit his officers with the Portland Standard Uniform in 1965. Oregon City Officer's continued to wear the Portland Standard Uniform for the next 42 years.

The department changed its patches 4 times since the mid 1970's, but continued to wear the same uniform.

Gordon Huiras the current Chief of Police started with the Oregon City Police Department in 1978.

The Oregon City Police Department now has 33 Officers. The city's population has grown to about 29,000.

Oregon City Police Detective Sergeant Jim Band, incidentally, designed the patch. The old patch depicted the Official city seal. The new patch shows the Oregon City Bridge with the Willamette Falls in the background.