[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 31, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO CHIEF RANDY SCHOEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 31, 2011

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Randy 
Schoen, chief of police for the City of Medford, Oregon. Upon his 
upcoming retirement from the Medford Police Department on June 20, 
2011, I want to thank Chief Schoen for his service to the state of 
Oregon as he begins a new chapter of his life.
  Chief Schoen began his law enforcement career in 1978 with the Grants 
Pass Department of Public Safety and later joined the Medford Police 
Department in 1984, where he earned the rank of chief in 2007. 
Throughout his career, Chief Schoen worked tirelessly to implement 
cost-effective police services, stand as a steward for public 
resources, and serve and protect the citizens of Oregon.
  As chief of police he often referred to the police department as 
``the only 24 hour broker of social services,'' and throughout his 
police career he operated under the motto that no call is too small.
  Chief Schoen's career has been a history full of force improvements 
and innovative practices that improved the efficiency of the force. As 
a sergeant early in his career, he observed that sworn police officers 
were delivering court documents, enforcing minor city ordinances, and 
serving subpoenas. To better allow sworn police officers to focus on 
fighting crime, he began Medford's Community Service Officer, CSO. The 
CSO program primarily hires college students who aim to become police 
officers. This program provides an opportunity for the police 
department to review, monitor, and train a potential police officer's 
commitment to service, character, and work ethic.
  In addition, then-Sergeant Schoen also developed Medford's first K9 
and SWAT programs. Over the years, the K9 team has grown to five dogs 
and the SWAT team has developed into an interagency squad. Both 
programs have won numerous awards and have been recognized as among 
Oregon's premier policing practices.
  In 1999, Schoen was promoted to deputy chief of operations, where he 
worked on a strategic plan to shape the future of the Medford Police 
Department. His plan improved service, saved money, and created an 
environment in which officers were encouraged to pursue excellence and 
continued professional improvement.
  Among the successful programs in Chief Schoen's plan was the Medford 
Volunteer Program, which now has over 40 volunteers. In 2009, the labor 
provided by these volunteers was conservatively valued at $100,000.
  Within the police department, Chief Schoen has improved the 
evaluation process and the availability of career resources. Officers 
can now refer to a career guide to help them set goals towards 
achieving their desired position within the department. In addition, 
the department now has a mentoring program available to any employee 
committed to self improvement. Chief Schoen strongly believes if you 
recognize and celebrate great performances, it encourages others to 
improve themselves. For this reason, he has also instituted a rewards 
program that includes a payday bulletin highlighting outstanding 
performances, an awards banquet, and the Master Police Officer program, 
which rewards an exemplary patrol officer to serve as an assistance 
supervisor to the sergeant.
  In 2007, Randy Schoen was appointed chief of police and has continued 
his distinguished career with the Medford Police Department. While the 
City of Medford and the department will surely miss his leadership, 
Chief Schoen has helped build the Medford Police Department into a 
stronger organization that will continue to improve thanks, in no small 
measure, to the strong foundation he leaves behind.
  Mr. Speaker, on June 20, 2011, Chief Randy Schoen will retire from 
the Medford Police Department after 33 years of exemplary public 
service. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Chief Schoen all 
the best as he begins retirement.

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