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Sheriff Diana Simpson

OREGON SHERIFF Magazine News

Diana Simpson was elected to her first term as Sheriff on November 7, 2006. She has the distinction of being the first elected female sheriff in the history of the State of Oregon. Prior to her election, Simpson was the Undersheriff for nearly five years and a sergeant the previous ten years. Diana started her career as a Parole and Probation Officer in Albany, Oregon in 1981, transferring to the Corvallis office a few months later. A short time later, the State of Oregon Corvallis Parole and Probation Office merged with the Benton County Sheriff's Office and she has been a member of the Sheriff's Office since that time.

Simpson is dual certified as a Police Officer and a Parole and Probation Officer. She also has executive certification in both disciplines from the Department of Public Safety, Standards, and Training (DPSST). Simpson has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Boise State University and she has completed various leadership programs including Oregon Executive Development Institute and the University of Oregon's Pacific Program.

Simpson has served her community in a number of ways including volunteer work in the schools where her children attended, Little League coach, Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors, ABC House Board of Directors, Corvallis Uzhgorod Sister Cities Association Board of Directors, Corvallis Morning Rotary and Corvallis Zonta.

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OREGON SHERIFF Magazine News

Summer, 2010 -- The Benton County Sheriff's Office Posse was formed in 1946 with the intention of carrying on and assisting with the preservation of law and order, search and rescue, and the traditions, pageantry and horsemanship of the Old West. Today's Posse integrates family, horses and enjoyable activities into a service oriented organization. The Posse is a volunteer organization within the Sheriff's Office and always welcomes new members.

The Posse assists the Sheriff with preservation of law and order by providing security during a variety of events throughout the year such as the Benton County Fair and Rodeo, 4-H Horse Fair, and Sheriff's Chili Cook-Off. Upon request, the Posse also assists at crime scenes by providing support such as man tracking, securing the perimeter of a crime scene, or providing traffic control. The Posse is also available to assist the Sheriff when additional resources are needed during natural or man-made disasters, celebrations or other public events.

Search and rescue is a major part of the Posse's training. Members and their horses can become SAR (Search and Rescue) certified after attending many hours of classes both indoors and in the field.

Because the Posse takes pride in the services provided to the community, members feel compelled to provide the best-trained personnel. For this reason, they spend many hours during the year training for their various responsibilities. To offset costs, the Posse participates in fund raising activities such as parking at OSU football and basketball games, and fingerprinting for the Sheriff's Office.

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Benton County

Sheriff Diana Simpson