Bend Police Recognized for Outstanding Commitment to Road Safety
In a remarkable achievement for community safety, the Bend Police Department has been awarded the prestigious title of 2025 Enforcement Agency of the Year by the Oregon DUII Multi-Disciplinary Training Task Force. This honor reflects the department's relentless dedication to combating drunk driving and ensuring safer roads for all residents.
Honoring Officer Zachary Childers
The accolades don't stop there. Officer Zachary Childers, a dedicated member of the Bend Police since 2017, has been recognized as the 2025 DUII Officer of the Year. With over a decade of experience in law enforcement, Officer Childers has shown exceptional commitment and skill in DUII enforcement, contributing to more than 150 DUI arrests.
Community Engagement and Prevention Efforts
Beyond enforcement, the Bend Police Department is proactive in preventing impaired driving through community education. A notable initiative involved collaborating with school resource officers to educate students on traffic safety, using hands-on activities to simulate the effects of impaired driving. This approach advocates for responsible behavior among the youth, instilling the importance of road safety from an early age.
A Strong Stand Against Impairment
As part of its ongoing commitment, the Bend Police executed additional patrols on New Year's Eve to reinforce the seriousness of DUI enforcement. During this effort, they set up an education booth and provided free alcohol breath testing to nearly 200 public attendees, highlighting their dedication to public safety and community awareness.
Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller emphasized, "Our primary focus remains on keeping drunk and drug-impaired drivers off our roads. We encourage our community to take responsibility and ensure that no one drives while impaired." With continued training and an advanced traffic reconstruction team, the Bend Police are poised to hold impaired drivers accountable, protecting the community and preventing tragedies.
