Chief Jon D. Zeliff, Retired
Jon D. Zeliff served for eight-years as the Chief of Police in Central Point, Oregon, before retiring in June of 2012. He began his policing career in 1984 as a Police Reserve Officer for the Grants Pass Police Department, and was later hired full time in July of 1986. Prior to becoming Chief of the Central Point Police Department in July of 2004, Chief Zeliff served as the Support and Patrol Bureau Commanders for the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety. Chief Zeliff is also a credentialed Public Safety Chaplain, and currently serves as Director of Operations for the Rogue Valley Chaplain's Association, serving First Responders and the Communities of Southern Oregon.
Chief Zeliff has been married to his wife Laura, a retired Deputy Chief with the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, for 33 years. Together they have two sons, nine grandchildren, two dogs, and a rather creepy cat.
Chief Zeliff has a wide-ranging background in public service; having served in a number of varied policing assignments to include Patrol Officer, Survival Skills Instructor, Narcotics Detective, Field Training Officer, Patrol Corporal, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, S.W.A.T. Team member, Commander, and Public Safety Lieutenant. For over twenty-years, Chief Zeliff has been dedicated to raising awareness and providing trainings throughout the Pacific Northwest on the importance and essential skills required to promote and defend honor, character, integrity, and the Public Trust.
In addition to other notable ethics trainings, Chief Zeliff has completed the “Basic” and “Advanced” week long “Ethics-Train-the Trainer” courses offered by the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration, Center for Law Enforcement Ethics in Plano, Texas, and the two-day seminar entitled; "Honoring the Badge: Ethical Issues for Peace Officers and Administrators" offered by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, in Los Angeles, California. Chief Zeliff has been consulted by a number of organizations for advice on difficult ethics matters, and is considered a trustworthy resource to public safety personnel for candid and reliable guidance about the often complex ethical challenges they face each day.
Chief Zeliff has earned an Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Rogue Community College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management from Northwest Christian College, and an Executive Certificate from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. He has attended the week-long Oregon Executive Development Institute (OEDI), and the three-week IACP Leadership in Police Organizations training colloquium. Chief Zeliff is the Oregon Chapter Director for the International Association of Ethics Trainers, and is a member of the Center for Law Enforcement Ethics, the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, and is a long time member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Also, in November of 2009, the City of Central Point Police Department became the first agency in the nation to earn the esteemed “Certificate of Excellence in Integrity” from the National Institute of Ethics; achieving 87% of the 216 applicable standards, well above the minimum 70% required.