The Emerald Editorial Board had the opportunity last Friday to meet with Eugene’s greenhorn police chief, Robert Lehner. Lehner, in the middle of a weekslong, whirlwind tour of the city’s community institutions, talked with the board about why he took Eugene’s top cop position, his philosophy and what his plans are for Eugene.
Previously of Tucson, Ariz., where he served in the city’s assistant position, Lehner decided he wanted to try his hand at chiefing. After comparing lists of cities that suited his professional intentions and family’s needs, he found his way to Eugene.
After visiting the town and meeting with City Manager Dennis Taylor, Lehner was eventually hired, in what he lauds as “a wonderful opportunity.”
Lehner’s arrival seems to be good news for the community on several fronts. For one, he fills a gap in the municipal hierarchy: Thanks in part to a misfire when hiring a candidate during the original selection process, Eugene has been without a permanent police chief for several years (Thad Buchanan, who has since returned to his position as captain, served as interim chief most recently.)
Moreover, Lehner and Eugene seem to be a good match for each other: Eugene and Tucson are “actually quite similar,” he noted, adding that major universities have an incredible impact on the communities around them. (Tucson is home to the University of Arizona.)
Lehner said that one of Eugene’s strengths is its well-developed neighborhood-association structure, which factored significantly in his job search. And, promisingly, maintaining an open, active dialogue with community organizations seems to be the central theme: While he mentioned no specific policy changes, he emphasized that any policy changes would be guided by the community’s priorities.
Lehner recalled from meetings with community leaders that, “What they’re telling me is that they want a voice; they don’t feel like they have (one).”
He seems to be very interested in the University’s place in Eugene, too. Particularly, he responded to questions about the recently embattled expansion of powers for commissioned Department of Public Safety officers.
“(In a meeting with University officials), I did express concern about something in between a police officer and a guard or security officer,” he explained. He adding that, “It’s not that I’m opposed to it. It’s that I don’t know enough about it yet.”
Regardless of the details, it’s a positive sign that the new chief is paying attention to an issue — although it now largely seems a fait accompli — that affects students but was decided without due student input.
“Unless the roles are critically defined, it has the potential to be a problem ,” Lehner said. “So yeah, I’m uncomfortable. I think that’s fair.”
Specific issues notwithstanding, Lehner promises that his tenure as chief will be centered around the Eugene community.
“I am just the driver of the bus,” he said. “I don’t determine where the bus goes.”