Salem Police Chief Kyle Ambuehl has announced his retirement effective November 1st. The 57-year-old Ambuehl has spent his entire career on the Salem Police Department starting in 2001.
“When you get to a period of your career you are always looking for what you are going to do next. I’ve done some part time work for a security company and I’ve got the opportunity to work for them and it just felt right now was the right time to do that.”
Ambuehl looks back at several accomplishments during his tenure of just over two years as chief.
“As chief we have done a lot of things bringing the body cams in, some technology changes, there are things we put in place that will be beneficial to the officers and dispatchers also.”
Ambuehl says serving on the regional SWAT team was one of the highlights of his career overall.
Ambuehl says over his 23 years on the force he has seen the big shift nationally on how police are seen by the public as 9-11 occurred just eight months after he started.
“At that point in time the law enforcement was loved and respected and over time things happen that diminish that and it seems lately it has gotten to a low. And that is a problem for morale in law enforcement in general. But I will say in that respect that is one great thing about Salem is that we have the respect of the community and citizens. And we appreciate, I certainly appreciate it.”
Ambuehl says the Safety Act approved by the state legislature has made their jobs harder and at times more frustrating.
Salem City Manager Annette Sola has not yet announced what procedure will be used to replace Ambuehl as chief.
