Chief & Command Staff

The Office of the Chief provides direction for the police department through planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting and budgeting activities of the department.  The main goal is to provide the leadership necessary to direct the efficient and effective administration of the department in a manner that is consistent with the department’s  mission, values and goals.  Primary objectives are responsiveness to citizen concerns, accountability, positive community relations, and positive employee relations.  

Andrew Shearer, Chief

Chief ShearerChief Andrew Shearer began his public safety career in 1992 with the Portland Police Bureau. During his tenure he worked a variety of patrol, investigative, and administrative assignments and rose through the ranks of Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Commander, and Assistant Chief of Police, prior to his retirement in 2020.

During his early career he served as a community policing officer, neighborhood liaison officer, field training officer, instructor, investigator, and tactical team member.  As a sergeant he led uniform patrol officers at two precincts and was later assigned to the Tactical Operations Division as team leader for the tactical unit, directing the response to high-risk incidents across the city.

As a Lieutenant he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Police, serving as Executive Officer for both the Operations Branch Assistant Chief and the Community Services Branch Assistant Chief and later as the Adjutant/Chief of Staff for the Chief of Police.

As Commander of the Tactical Operations Division, he worked in close collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Violence Prevention, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other state, local, and federal partners in the effort to reduce gun violence and the long-lasting trauma it leaves behind in our communities. He improved interagency collaboration, utilization of cutting-edge technologies, and enhancement of data analysis capabilities to drive strategy.  He also served as lead critical incident commander for the city.

As Assistant Chief of Police he led the Investigations Branch, overseeing the operations of the Detective Division, Family Services Division, Narcotics and Organized Crime, Property Evidence Division, Tactical Operations Division, Forensic Evidence Division, and Transit Division.

Chief Shearer is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police, and the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Institute. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice from Portland State University and holds a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Leadership from the University of Charleston.

He has received numerous commendations and awards during his service to include Distinguished Service Medals, Unit Commendation Medals (2 With Valor), and the Achievement Medal.

From 2018-2022, he served on the board of directors of the Portland Police Sunshine Division, an emergency food and clothing service provider and also volunteers with “Team Rubicon”, a veteran based disaster relief agency.  He has enjoyed raising awareness for and supporting the athletes of Special Olympics Oregon for many years.

Chief Shearer promotes a leadership style that is collaborative, inclusive, authentic, and focused on partnership with community and public safety stakeholders.

Jami Resch, Deputy Chief

Resch joins SPD from the Portland Police Bureau, where she’s served since 1999. In 2008, after serving as a Patrol Officer, Neighborhood Response Team Officer and Tactical Operations Division Crime Analyst, she was promoted to Sergeant where she led patrol officers then later the newly formed Gun Task Force. Resch was promoted to Lieutenant in 2012, assigned to East Precinct, and later the Criminal Intelligence Unit. She’s also held the responsibility for the Portland Police Honor Guard and served as a Critical Incident Commander. In 2016, she was promoted to Captain and assigned to North Precinct, also serving as Acting Commander. In 2018, she was appointed Assistant Chief of the Investigations Branch and in 2019 was appointed to Deputy Chief. In December of 2019 Resch was sworn in as Chief of Police of the City of Portland. She later became Assistant Chief and now joins SPD with 24 years of extensive public safety and leadership experience.

Resch has been an active member in the Police Bureau’s Muslim Council, Slavic Advisory Council, and Refugee Integration Program. She has also volunteered her time with Camp Rosenbaum, Shop with a Cop and acted as a mentor for youth as part of the Zman Scholarship Foundation. She is a graduate of both the FBI National Executive Institute and the PERF Senior Management Institute for Police.

She holds multiple certificates in advanced command and decision making; threat assessment training and diplomatic security law enforcement training., She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Allied Health Sciences with a Minor in Psychology from the University of Portland.

 

Jessica Crawford, Manager – Business Services Division

Jessica Crawford has lived in Oregon most of her life. After graduating from Pleasant Hill High School, she attended New Mexico State University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Jessica has worked for the Springfield Police Department since December 2004. During her career at SPD, Jessica has held positions as a Police Records and Communications Specialist, IT Business Analyst, Management Analyst supporting the Office of the Chief, and is currently the Business Services Manager.

Tom Rappe’, Lieutenant – Detention Division

Lt. RappeLieutenant Rappe’ is a lifelong Oregonian.  He graduated from Lebanon High School and attended Oregon State University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.  In 2006 he also received a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Boston University. 

Lt. Rappe’ began his career at SPD in 1991 and was promoted to the Investigations Division in 1996. During his time with SPD he has spent 13 years on the SWAT Team, 11 years as a Detective and 7 years as a Sergeant and the last 7 as a Lieutenant.  As part of the Command team Lt. Rappe’ has overseen Internal Affairs, Operations Division, Operations Support, and is currently the Detention Division Lieutenant overseeing the Springfield Municipal Jail.   

George Crolly, Lieutenant – Operations Support Division

Lieutenant Crolly has lived in the Springfield area for over 23 years and is a veteran of the United States Air Force.  Since being hired by SPD in 1998, Lieutenant Crolly has worked in various assignments, including Patrol Officer, Detective, and Sergeant.  Lieutenant Crolly has been a member of SPD SWAT team for over 19 years.  He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Portland State University. Lt. Crolly currently serves as the Operations Support Division Lieutenant. 

Pete Kirkpatrick, Sergeant (Acting in Capacity Lieutenant) –  Operations Division

Born in Aspen Colorado, Pete grew up in Southern Oregon where he graduated from Ashland High School. He went on to attend University of Oregon where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. He was hired by SPD in June 2004 where he was assigned to the Patrol Division. After working 6 years as a Patrol Officer and Field Training Officer, he worked a variety of cases as a Detective. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2011 serving as the Watch Commander and overseeing the Department’s Field Training Program. He is currently Acting in Capacity as the Operations Division Lieutenant.