Hermiston police chief, others push sheriff to change jailing policy

HERMISTON — Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston on Nov. 11 publicly aired his frustrations with the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office over its policy of requiring arresting officers to take suspects to the hospital prior to lodging them in jail if jail staff determine the suspect needs medical evaluation. “Patrol officers are doing the job of jail staff and having to spend hours at the hospital in Pendleton to get people ‘medically cleared’ to go to jail,” Edmiston wrote. “Then in our case, I get to deal with collection notices for these unpaid bills from that hospital. These evaluations, if necessary, should be done by jail transport staff.” Edmiston sent the email to area law enforcement officials, city and county officials and members of the media. 5-hour wait at Pendleton hospital The issue played out on Nov. 10 when HPD officers arrested Fernando Abrahan Torres on suspicion of using a hammer to damage several vehicles at Tierra Linda Estates in Hermiston.

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