In addition to our paid staff, the Stayton Police Department has several dedicated volunteers. We have a reserve police officer program, volunteer office staff and volunteers who handle ordinance complaints. We are fortunate to employ several highly trained officers with specialized skills, which include, but are not limited to:

The Stayton Police Department is proud to serve in community events throughout the year such as Coffee with a Cop, National Night Out, and the Junior Police Fishing Derby. During Summerfest our officers get wet participating in “Dunk a Cop," which raises money for our K-9 program.  

The Police Department is located at 386 N. 3^rd Ave. with access to law enforcement 24 hours a day. Our records staff is available Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The office is closed between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. for lunch.

We are not equipped with a jail but do have a short term holding facility. Upon arrest, suspects are transported to the Marion County Jail located at 4000 Aumsville Hwy SE in Salem. If you have questions regarding an inmate’s status, please call the Marion County Jail at (503) 588-8595.

Our staff is always waiting to serve you. Please never hesitate to call us or stop by. We strive to provide excellent law enforcement services. 

Police Chief

David Frisendahl

Chief David Frisendahl has over 28 years of police experience. He spent almost 4 years as a police officer in Oakridge and 25 years with the City of Tigard where he served as a Field Training Officer, Detective, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Force on Force Instructor, and Motor Officer. While in the City of Tigard, David spent 4 years as a Sergeant and 5 years as a Lieutenant before he retired. He has an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Chemeketa Community College. Since retirement, David has continued his involvement in law enforcement by teaching survival skills at DPSST and has lived in the local area for nearly ten years.

Police Captain

Gwen Johns

Captain Gwen Johns began with the Stayton Police Department in May 2020. While earning a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from Western Oregon University, Captain Johns began her career in Marion County, gaining training and experience working with Marion County Parole and Probation. She served as a police officer for the cities of Newberg and Dundee for 26-1/2 years. During her years with NDPD, she was a Field Training Officer, D.A.R.E. officer, Emergency Vehicle Operator Instructor, Training Coordinator, Deputy Medical Examiner, FTEP coordinator, ran a local youth safety camp (Safety Town), and served on the agency's honor guard. Captain Johns served as a Sergeant for NDPD for 16 years. Since 2008, she's been a driving instructor at DPSST, Oregon's police academy. Additionally, she has been a volunteer with Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) and the Special Olympics of Oregon since 1995, and volunteering a week each summer as a youth camp counselor at Camp Rosenbaum since 2003.