OREM — The city named a new chief of police Tuesday after an extensive selection process.
Starting Aug. 4, Gary Giles, a former lieutenant with the Orem Department of Public Safety, will begin his position as chief of police.
"I look forward to working with Chief Giles and know that he will be a tremendous asset and resource to the police department and the entire community moving forward," Orem city manager Jamie Davidson said. "The Orem Police Department includes a great group of professionals, and Gary's work contributions and experience will only add to the success of the department in the future."
Before the Orem City Council voted in March to split the Orem Department of Public Safety into separate police and fire departments, Giles worked in the department as a dispatcher, a public safety officer in the patrol and investigation divisions, a sergeant and a lieutenant. He also spent several years as a member of the Utah County Narcotics Enforcement Team and the county's Major Crimes Task Force. In 1998, he received the Baker Award as Orem's Police Officer of the Year.
Giles most recently served as the chief of police in Portland, Texas. He is a graduate of the FBI's National Academy and holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Utah Valley University. Giles later earned a Master of Business Administration from Northcentral University.
Various community stakeholders were involved in the selection process, according to city spokesman Steven Downs.
"In today's world, one of the biggest factors in determining a police department's success is the strength of the relationships with individuals and organizations in the community," Downs said. "Our police department has a high level of trust and they are determined to maintain it."
Email: mjacobsen@deseretnews.com