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5 Critical Focus Areas: Inside The Grants Pass Police Department's 2025-2028 Strategic Plan

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The Grants Pass Police Department (GPPD) is currently navigating a pivotal period of transformation and community re-engagement, marked by the rollout of its ambitious 2025-2028 Strategic Plan. As of late 2025, the department, which operates under the comprehensive umbrella of the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS), is heavily focused on balancing traditional law enforcement duties with proactive community-centric initiatives and addressing high-profile incidents that challenge public trust. This article provides an in-depth look at the department’s leadership, its unique structure, and the five critical strategic goals that will define policing in Grants Pass for the next three years, ensuring the community has the most current understanding of its public safety operations. The GPPD's commitment to a multi-faceted approach is evident in its unique departmental structure, which integrates police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) under a single director. This model is designed to enhance efficiency and coordination, providing a holistic public safety service to the residents of Grants Pass, Oregon. The department continues to strengthen its ranks, recently welcoming new officers like Joe McGrew and Zack Fuller, demonstrating a proactive effort to recruit and retain qualified law enforcement personnel in a challenging regional environment.

The Leadership Profile: Public Safety Chief Warren Hensman

The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS), which encompasses the Grants Pass Police Department, is led by Chief Warren Hensman, a dedicated leader who brings a global perspective to the Josephine County community. He is often referred to as the Police Chief, reflecting his primary role, but his title as the Public Safety Chief underscores his oversight of both police and fire/rescue services.

Chief Hensman's Biography and Credentials:

  • Current Role: Public Safety Chief / Police Chief for the City of Grants Pass.
  • Unique Structure: Oversees the integrated Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS), which provides police, fire, and EMS services.
  • Professional Development: A graduate of the prestigious Oregon Executive Leadership Institute (OELI).
  • Executive Training: Completed the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF) Senior Management Institute for Police.
  • Leadership Style: Known for bringing a wealth of experience, leadership, and a global perspective to the department.

Chief Hensman’s leadership is foundational to the department’s current direction, particularly in implementing the new strategic plan and fostering a culture of community engagement and accountability.

The 2025-2028 Strategic Plan: Five Pillars of Public Safety

The core of the Grants Pass Police Department’s future operations is encapsulated in its 2025-2028 Strategic Plan. This comprehensive document outlines the key initiatives and long-term goals designed to ensure the city remains safe, stable, and economically viable. The plan is structured around five major strategic goals that extend beyond traditional policing to address broader community challenges.

The Five Strategic Goals Driving GPPD's Future:

  1. Public Safety: This remains the paramount goal, focusing on the continued delivery and enhancement of high-quality, effective police, fire, and emergency preparedness services. Initiatives include specialized traffic safety operations, such as the one announced near schools in September 2025.
  2. Fiscal Stability: Ensuring the department has the necessary resources and operates efficiently to sustain its integrated public safety model. This involves careful budget management and securing funding for new technologies and personnel.
  3. Economic Growth: Supporting the City of Grants Pass's economic vitality by maintaining a safe environment for businesses, residents, and visitors. A stable and safe community is a prerequisite for economic development.
  4. Housing and Homelessness: Addressing the complex issues surrounding homelessness. The GPPD is actively involved in community-based solutions, recognizing that enforcement must be paired with social services and resource connection to be effective.
  5. Infrastructure: Working within the broader city plan to ensure that public safety infrastructure—including facilities, technology, and communication systems—is modern and robust enough to support the department's mission.

These goals highlight the GPPD’s recognition that modern policing is intrinsically linked to the overall health and stability of the community. The department’s focus on Public Safety, Fiscal Stability, and Housing/Homelessness are key entities that will directly impact the lives of Grants Pass residents.

Community Engagement and Accountability in a Sensitive Climate

A critical component of the Grants Pass Police Department's strategy is building and maintaining community trust, especially in the wake of recent high-profile events. The department utilizes several programs to foster positive relationships and increase transparency.

Addressing the Use-of-Force Incident and Community Trust

In October 2025, a use-of-force incident involving Grants Pass Police officers became a significant point of community discussion, with reports indicating that "Community Trust [was] at Stake". While the specific details of the incident are subject to ongoing review, the department's handling of such sensitive matters is vital to its reputation and effectiveness. The GPPD's commitment to its core values and organizational chart, which includes avenues for accountability and media releases, is essential during these times. The department is under pressure to demonstrate transparency and ensure that any use of force is lawful, necessary, and proportionate, aligning with best practices for law enforcement agencies across Oregon and the United States. This situation underscores the importance of the department's training and de-escalation protocols.

Key Community Programs and Entities

The GPPD actively engages the public through a variety of programs designed for education and partnership. These initiatives are crucial for topical authority in community policing:
  • Citizens' Police Academy (CPA): A cornerstone of community outreach, the CPA is an annual program that gives citizens an in-depth look at police operations, including topics like traffic law, criminal investigations, and use-of-force policies. The 2025 academy is a key entity for developing mutual understanding.
  • Crime Prevention Programs: The department offers various programs aimed at educating the public on preventing crimes like identity theft and registering surveillance cameras to assist investigations.
  • Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE): The GPPD actively participates in joint operations, such as those with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), to combat the flow and distribution of illegal substances in the region, a vital effort in late 2025.
  • Community Service Officers (CSOs): These non-sworn personnel handle non-emergency tasks, freeing up sworn officers to focus on high-priority calls, thereby increasing the department's overall operational efficiency.
In conclusion, the Grants Pass Police Department is more than just a law enforcement agency; it is an integrated Department of Public Safety with a clear, forward-looking strategic vision. Led by Chief Warren Hensman, the department is tackling complex modern challenges—from homelessness and economic stability to maintaining community trust following sensitive incidents. Through its 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, new officer recruitment, and robust community programs like the Citizens' Police Academy, the GPPD is actively working to secure a safer and more stable Grants Pass for all its residents.
5 Critical Focus Areas: Inside the Grants Pass Police Department's 2025-2028 Strategic Plan
grants pass police department
grants pass police department

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