North Bend City Administrator David Milliron has named retired Coos Bay Police Chief Gary McCullough as interim police chief and retired SCINT leader Cal Mitts as interim Captain to administrate the North Bend Police Department. Current Coos Bay Police Chief Chris Chapanar and Captain Mike Schaffer have provided transitional administration after former North Bend Police Chief Robert Kappelman and a captain abruptly left their posts on October 6th. Milliron says the new interim command staff took the helm on Wednesday. McCullough will assist the city in assessing future needs, developing long-term strategies for the city’s police department, and help with recruiting and onboarding a permanent chief.
McCullough is a North Bend resident who began his law enforcement career in 1993 as a reserve police officer for the Coos Bay Police Department. He was sworn in as a full-time Police Officer in 1995. He served in multiple capacities until being promoted to Chief in 2009 and retired in June. Mitts retired after 25 years of service to the Coos Bay Police Department. Milliron says the recruitment and hiring of a permanent police chief could take up to a year. City councilors recently approved a 360 Review of the department. City officials say it will help assess and create the long-term success of the police department.
