Police chief pursues post in California.

Byline: Jack Moran The Register-Guard

Eugene police Chief Robert Lehner may soon leave town for a new job in California's Sacramento Valley.

Lehner announced late Tuesday in an e-mail to police department employees and other Eugene officials that he is a candidate for a position in another city.

A city official with knowledge of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity said Lehner is in the running for the police chief job in Elk Grove, Calif.

Police department spokeswoman Melinda Kletzok said Lehner did not wish to speak publicly about the situation on Wednesday. Police did release Lehner's e-mail.

"I understand that rumors have started escalating regarding the fact that there are investigators in Eugene, researching my background," Lehner wrote in the e-mail, which he titled "Rumor Control."

"It is true that I am presently a candidate for a position in another jurisdiction," he wrote. "Since that agency has not yet released any information regarding the candidates, it would not be appropriate for me to do so.

"Please be assured that I will notify everyone as soon as I know the outcome," Lehner wrote. "I am sorry for any disruption or discomfort this may be causing in the meantime."

Elk Grove City Manager Laura Gill and other city officials did not return telephone messages Wednesday afternoon seeking confirmation that Lehner was on the short list of candidates for the chief's position.

With a population of about 140,000 - slightly smaller than Eugene - Elk Grove is the second-largest city in Sacramento County. The city, a Sacramento suburb, was incorporated in 2000. Its police department was formed in 2006.

According to a flier advertising the police chief position, the Elk Grove job pays between $119,000 and $179,000.

A July 31 article in the Elk Grove Citizen newspaper said more than 40 people had applied for the chief's position. The application deadline was July 3.

Lehner, 53, began work as Eugene's police chief in January 2004.

"It's not unusual for a police chief to have a four- to five-year tenure," Kletzok said.

Lehner earned $113,484 annually upon being hired by Eugene. His current salary was unavailable late Wednesday, although the position pays a maximum of $129,916, according to the city's salary schedule.

Before moving to Oregon, Lehner served 25 years on the Tucson, Ariz., police force. His last position in Tucson was that of assistant chief.

Eugene City Manager Jon Ruiz was not available Wednesday to speak about Lehner's current employment situation.

Eugene Police Employees Association President Willy Edewaard said he was not shocked to learn that Lehner was exploring other job opportunities.

"I knew he had his feelers out there, and I'm not surprised," Edewaard said. "And I'm not surprised if somebody else jumps at a chance to get him to be their chief. He has a lot of good qualities."

Lehner has taken a fair amount of criticism in recent months over his department's handling of a pair of controversial issues.

In early June, he provided Eugene city councilors with detailed information that seemed to support an officer's decision to subdue a demonstrator with a Taser stun gun. Several witnesses to the incident filed complaints with the city's police auditor alleging that officers used excessive force to arrest demonstrator Ian Van Ornum, an 18-year-old University of Oregon student.

Lehner came under fire last month after former police auditor Cristina Beamud accused him of violating a city ordinance by withholding from her office a sensitive complaint filed against an officer. Lehner said he chose to keep the complaint secret because releasing the information could have placed someone in danger.

City Councilor Mike Clark said he believes Lehner's critics have treated him unfairly.

"I'm very sad to hear of this possibility" that Lehner could be leaving Eugene, Clark said. "I'm a little bit disappointed in myself that I haven't spoken up more loudly in defense of the chief. He's taken some unfair shots from some extreme points of view without having the ability to defend himself, and it's entirely understandable how an honorable man like the chief could get tired of the abuse."

Clark said he spoke briefly with Lehner about the potential job opportunity, although the two did not discuss details.

Edewaard said Lehner has consistently been open to working with the department's police union.

"This is the best relationship our union has had with any of the chiefs" Eugene has employed since 1994, Edewaard said. "If he leaves, my big concern is what (city officials) do next - who's going to be interim chief, how long they're going to have an interim chief, and who's going to be the new chief."