Interim Chief Carden has 37 years of experience in law enforcement and 23 years of supervisory and managerial experience with police departments in cities similar in size and larger than Battle Ground.

The City of Battle Ground is Southwest Washington's fastest growing city. The city's population is currently 17,150, and is expected to grow to over 50,000 in the next 15 years. During that same period, the Battle Ground Police Department is projected to add an additional 30 to 35 positions at all levels within the department.

Currently the department consists of thirty-five sworn and non-sworn personnel. Sworn positions include uniform patrol operations, Detective Division, K-9 Unit, Traffic (motorcycle) Unit, School Resource Officers, and assignments to the Southwest Regional SWAT Team. The department's non-sworn personnel include Community Service Officers (court bailiffs and code enforcement), Records Division and Community Work Crew Supervisors.

Our staff enjoys tremendous support from the community and city leadership, who are committed to the City of Battle Ground having the premier law enforcement agency in Southwest Washington. That support and commitment is showcased through the quality and condition of the equipment and facilities provided to our officers. The men and women of the Battle Ground Police Department work out of a new $4 million state-of-the-art police facility. The police facility is 18,000 square feet; providing adequate space to accommodate our city as we populate over the coming years. The officers of the Battle Ground Police Department strongly believe in service to our community. We strive to promote positive contacts with our citizens and service their needs. Our goal is to enforce laws both fairly and impartially.

Our department engages in numerous community events such as Harvest Days, National Night Out, a Citizens Police Academy and Every 15 Minutes at Battle Ground High School. We welcome input from our citizens and invite you to call, stop by, or e-mail us with any concerns you may have.