Chapter 18: Public Safety

Cities have a responsibility to provide for the safety, welfare, and morals of their residents.   For the safety of their residents, Oregon cities primarily provide law enforcement, but also may provide fire services. Emergency management, an essential component of fire and law enforcement response, helps to reduce threats to safety and cope with disasters.  

This chapter is intended to provide an overview of a city’s public safety functions in fire services and law enforcement and will only provide an overview of the current search and seizure law in Oregon.  For specific questions on police procedure, including search and seizure law, please consult your city attorney or district attorney.