10 Questions With… Chief Jim Yon, OSU’s associate vice president for public safety and chief of police
What originally brought you to Oregon State?
As I was getting ready to retire from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the police chief from Albany told me about an open spot with this department. She thought I might be a good fit. The department was in its first year of existence and they needed help. It was enticing to join the department and help it grow from the foundation up. I have been coming to Oregon State my entire life. I grew up in Albany and my parents both are graduates. I have many family members that attended Oregon State including my daughter, who was an athlete. This is my way of continuing my family’s connection to OSU.
How did you get involved in law enforcement?
In high school, I was dating my now wife Angie, who had several family members in this profession, and my desire grew from there. I studied criminal justice at Western Oregon State College. I was a reserve police officer with the Monmouth Police Department while at Western Oregon. I really enjoyed it and liked helping people. After college, I was hired by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, and I stayed there for over 28 years.
What makes you passionate about higher education?
I really enjoy the environment of learning. My wife and both my parents were teachers in the Oregon public school system. My wife still teaches. I think it takes a community to raise human beings, and I get to be a part of that community now. College students are at that point in life where they are figuring who they are and what they believe. In a small way, I get to help guide that.
What are some challenges to providing law enforcement services to a university campus?
Overall, campus law enforcement sits at the intersection of public safety, education and community relations. Officers aren’t just enforcing laws—they’re also educators, mediators and first responders in a highly dynamic environment. The university setting is transitory. Every year a quarter of our population changes because of the graduates and new incoming students, whereas in a county or city, you may have couple hundred new residents each year, but a vast majority are there for years. Each year we have to educate a new group at Oregon State.
What advice would you give the younger version of yourself who was just starting college?
In 30 years, you aren’t going to remember 99% of the things you are worried about today. It may seem important right now, but it will pass. Working through issues will be a lifelong endeavor and it is a great skill to learn. Problem-solving is a skill you will use daily. What seems like a big mountain is truly not. Take it a day and a step at a time. Enjoy your time, be smart and learn everything you can. Also, there is always help if you need it.
What is your favorite part about coming to work every day?
I normally get to the office around 6:30 a.m. I get to see the teams from the night shift and the oncoming day shift team. Their excitement about being at OSU and getting to do what we do is amazing. They see the opportunity to make a difference in a student’s life. They appreciate the resources we have to make the students experience better. They are doing what our mission statement states: Prosperity Widely Shared Through Safety, Service and Accountability.
How does your team work with OSU Assist to make sure callers get the kind of service they need during an emergency?
We work as a team to make sure the student gets the best service possible and that their needs are addressed in the best way we can. We review calls and talk through issues that might come up. It is truly a student-first approach. A student was recently injured and went to the hospital. One of our patrol staff members and OSU Assist went to the hospital to check on the student. We were able to provide information to the family from the DPS and OSU Assist lenses. This is how it is supposed to work.
What was your favorite course in college?
I really enjoyed ‘Geology of the Pacific Northwest.’ I almost made geology my major.
Where would you like to see improvements in the relationship between law enforcement on campus, the campus community and Corvallis at large?
The department is still so new, and we have a way to go. I want to continue to expand our outreach to groups across campus so when they have a problem or issue, DPS pops into their mind as a good resource.
What is your favorite nonacademic pursuit or passion?
I really love to fly-fishing. I am really bad at it, but it is so peaceful standing in a river.
