Operations Lieutenant Ralph Stiffler oversees the Patrol, School Resource, and Code Enforcement Divisions of the Winston Police Department, providing leadership and guidance to a team that includes patrol officers, reserve officers, school resource officers, and code enforcement personnel.
Lieutenant Ralph Stiffler is a dedicated public servant with more than three decades of combined military and law enforcement experience. A U.S. Army veteran, he served with distinction during his deployment to Somalia in 1992. Following his military service, he prepared for a career in civilian law enforcement by attending the National Park Service Seasonal Law Enforcement Academy in 1995.
In 1996, Lt. Stiffler began his law enforcement career as a Corrections Deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. His dedication and performance earned him an assignment in the Patrol Division in 2000. The following year, he continued his service to veterans as a Police Officer with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Lt. Stiffler broadened his public safety experience with the Oregon Department of Transportation as a weighmaster before returning to municipal law enforcement in 2002, when he was hired as a Patrol Officer with the Winston Police Department. Over the years, his leadership and professionalism earned him several promotions, including Sergeant in 2018 and Lieutenant in 2024.
He holds an Executive Certification from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), having completed more than 2,475 hours of law enforcement training. He is also a graduate of Oregon State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.
Throughout his career, Lieutenant Stiffler has remained committed to the safety, integrity, and well-being of his community, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to the Winston Police Department.