Wilsonville Police: Meet the New Chief

Lieutenant Adam Phillips, a 20-year veteran of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, has been named the new chief of the Wilsonville Police. Phillips succeeds Jeff Smith who has been promoted to captain of the detective unit for the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office provides policing for Wilsonville under a contract with the city.

"We are excited to welcome Chief Phillips to our community," said Wilsonville City Manager Bryan Cosgrove. "Lt. Phillips has an extensive background in law enforcement, including prior experience working in Wilsonville.

"The city is fortunate to be able to draw from such a deep bench within the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. I also want to acknowledge Chief Smith's contributions to our community during his tenure, and wish him well in his new position."

Phillips, who takes over on December 5th, is currently a lieutenant in the patrol division where he supervises five sergeants and 20 deputies. While at CCSO over the past two decades, Phillips has also served in the role of Public Information Officer, Detective Sergeant, Patrol Sergeant, Detective, Motor Traffic Enforcement, and as a Patrol Deputy.

"I'm grateful to serve as Chief for the Wilsonville Police," Phillips said. "Working closely with the City, its citizens, and our Police Department to keep Wilsonville as safe as possible was my primary draw for being here. Captain Smith has left us with a great example to follow, and I will bring my experience and professionalism to keep that forward, positive momentum going.

"It's a great opportunity to be part of a growing Police Department in a vibrant, expanding city!"

Phillips started his law enforcement career as a Patrol Deputy for CCSO in 1996 after a career as a special education teacher in the Portland area. Chief Phillips graduated from The Evergreen State College earning a Bachelor of Arts and also attended Portland State University where he earned an Oregon Teaching Certificate. Chief Phillips is a graduate of Benson Polytechnic High School. He is married with two children.

As Wilsonville's Chief of Police, Phillips will lead a staff of 19 full-time law enforcement professionals who are employed by CCSO, but are assigned full-time to Wilsonville.

Photo City of Wilsonville