Charles A. Moose, 45, of Portland, Oregon, was sworn in today as the 15th police chief in the 77-year history of Montgomery County Department of Police

For Immediate Release: Monday, August 2, 1999

Charles A. Moose, 45, of Portland, Oregon, was sworn in today as the 15th police chief in the 77-year history of the Montgomery County Department of Police.

Moose was selected to head the 1,000-member force by County Executive Douglas M. Duncan in late May and was confirmed by the County Council in. June.

"It is indeed an honor for me to serve as chief of this department," said Moose. "Montgomery County has a long, proud tradition of excellence, and I pledge to this community that I will work hard to continue that tradition. Furthermore, I will do my utmost to ensure that this department does more than fight crime. I expect our officers to contribute much more to the improvement of the overall quality of life within our neighborhoods."

At today's ceremony, Moose was pinned with the gold eagle collar insignias denoting the rank of colonel - the department's highest rank - by Robert Lamb, Jr., of Seattle, regional director of the Community Relations Service for the U.S. Department of Justice in Seattle, WA, and long time friend and mentor. His badge was presented to him by his wife, Sandy Herman-Moose.

The swearing in ceremony was held at the University of Maryland Shady Grove Center in Rockville and included many local, state and federal dignitaries as well as law enforcement officials from around the Washington metropolitan region.

"Chief Moose's arrival brings tremendous promise for the future of this department and for our community," said Duncan. "Throughout his career, he has worked hard to earn the respect of his officers and residents of the community he served. I am confident that he will continue that tradition here and position the Montgomery County Police Department as one that other law enforcement agencies will strive to emulate."

Moose, who will earn $125,000, retired last month as the Chief of Police in the City of Portland, Oregon, where he served six years in the top post. He began his career there in 1975 as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks, serving as deputy chief of the operations branch, prior to being named chief in 1993. Chief Moose also worked as an adjunct criminal justice professor at Portland State University and served as a Major in the Oregon Air National Guard.

As chief of Oregon's largest municipal police department, Moose is credited with advancing community policing initiatives and technology and implementing policies aimed at reducing the use of lethal force, and policies and programs that support officers and their families.

Earlier this year, Moose was instrumental in bringing Oregon police chiefs and union officials together to sign a resolution against racial profiling. According to U.S. Department of Justice officials, the cooperative action was a first in the nation.

Chief Moose is an active member of 19 national and local professional organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the American Society of Criminology, the Society of Police Futurists International, and the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) National Policy Board. He served on the boards for the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Center for Women and Policing, the Boys and Girls Club of Portland, National Crime Prevention Council and the Portland Public Schools Foundation. Moose also chaired the Portland Regional Drug Initiative and was a member of the Governor's Drug and Violent Crime Advisory Board.

Moose has a doctorate degree in Urban Studies/Criminology from Portland State University and a master's in Public Administration. He received his undergraduate degree in U.S. History from the University of North Carolina.

During his 25-year law enforcement career, Moose has been the recipient of nearly 30 awards. Last year, U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno presented him with the William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement.

Chief Moose and his family will reside in Montgomery County. Two grown sons, David and Lincoln, are currently enrolled in college in Oregon.

Release ID: 99-270
Media Contact: Ann Evans 204-773-5030, David Weaver 240-777-6530