HISTORY

Situated at the base of Black Butte, east of the Cascades and on the south side of US Highway 20, the community of Black Butte Ranch was developed starting in 1970 on the site of a former cattle ranch of the same name. The post office was established the following year, but it wasn’t until 1990 that the police department was established as a special service district. While fire department’s have used the special service district model for many years, Black Butte Ranch was the first to do so for a police department. Eventually Sunriver would create their own special service district police department, and today we are still the only two in the State of Oregon.

There have been four Chiefs of Police in the history of the department: Chief William “Hank” Fegette, Chief Gil Zacarro, Chief Denney Kelley and currently, Chief Jason Van Meter.

Today’s police department is a full-time, state accredited agency protecting more than 1250 home sites and Ranch-owned buildings spread across 8.2 square miles. As of the 2020 US Census, 206 full time residents call the Ranch home, however many of the homes are vacation rentals and the population swells to the thousands during the peak tourism months.

The department patrols 33 miles of private roads and 18 miles of bike paths where it enforces state and federal law as well as Ranch Rules and Regulations, as well as patrolling out on Highway 20. The department has an excellent working relationship with the surrounding agencies and BBRPD officers are often called upon to assist Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police in matters in the surrounding communities.

Black Butte Ranch PD has had two patch designs over the years. When you enter the Ranch, you’re greeted by a view of the meadow where the Ranch’s horses graze with Mount Washington in the background. This iconic view is depicted on our current patch, which was adopted in early 2021.

The mission of the Black Butte Ranch Police Department is to partner with our community and the Ranch to preserve the safety, security and tranquility of the Ranch for the enjoyment of all.