Rick Puente serves as the Director of Public Safety at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, where he oversees college-wide safety and security operations, emergency preparedness, behavioral threat assessment, and emergency response planning. With more than 30 years of experience in law enforcement, investigations, and school safety, Rick brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and practical experience to his work in protecting educational communities.
Rick began his career with the State of Oregon in 1994, which led to his entry into municipal law enforcement with the Hubbard Police Department and later the Woodburn Police Department, where he spent most of his law enforcement career. Throughout his service, he held a variety of assignments, including Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer (SRO), Juvenile Crimes Detective, Tactical Team Hostage Negotiator, and member of drug and gang task forces. He also served as an instructor and contributed to community engagement initiatives through his department’s Community Response Team.
For more than 20 years, Rick has focused extensively on school safety and security, school-based policing, behavioral threat assessment, emergency preparedness and response, active threat and active shooter training, mental health and emotional crisis response, and reunification and recovery following significant school-related emergencies. His experience reflects a longstanding commitment to strengthening school safety practices, improving emergency readiness, and fostering collaboration among law enforcement, school personnel, students, families, and community partners.
In May 2017, Rick was appointed Police Chief for the Beaverton School District Public Safety Department. In this role, he led public safety efforts across a district serving more than 45,000 students and encompassing over 60 school sites, supported by a team of 15 School Resource Officers. His leadership further strengthened his expertise in school safety administration, law enforcement partnerships, emergency planning, and the development of comprehensive safety and security practices across educational settings.
Rick has also maintained a strong commitment to professional leadership and collaboration through the Oregon School Resource Officers Association. He served on the OSROA Board of Directors as a regional representative before advancing to Vice President. In July 2026, he was elected President of the Association, a role in which he is committed to advancing school safety, supporting school resource officers, strengthening professional development, and promoting effective partnerships between schools, law enforcement, and the communities they serve.
A strong advocate for community-oriented policing, Rick believes that meaningful relationships with students, educators, parents, and community members are essential to creating safe and supportive learning environments. He is passionate about ensuring that students can learn and thrive while educators can focus on their primary mission of teaching. As OSROA President, he brings a collaborative leadership approach, extensive school safety experience, and a clear vision for advancing safe schools throughout Oregon.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Rick values his family and the support they have provided throughout his career. He and his wife, Velen, have been married for more than 26 years and have three children: Ricky, Emma, and Benny. The family resides in Woodburn, Oregon. Outside of work, Rick enjoys spending time with his family and taking every opportunity to get out on the golf course.
