Trevor Womack has served as the chief of police for the Salem Police Department since December 2020, becoming the tenth police chief in the history of Oregon’s capital city.

Chief Womack is deeply committed to building strong, trusting relationships between the police and the community. His leadership reflects a dedication to transparency, accountability, and innovation, ensuring that the Salem Police Department remains a trusted and effective public safety agency.

Putting philosophy into practice

Chief Womack's policing philosophy rests on the dual pillars of smarter policing and principled policing. Smarter policing draws upon data-driven, evidence-based approaches to develop the most effective law enforcement programs and efforts—the what we do and how we do it. Principled policing involves individual and organizational integrity, character, and trust—the who we are and why. Together, when practically applied throughout the entire organization, these co-equal pillars serve to simultaneously improve public safety and build police-community trust.

Through his involvement with the National Initiative for Building Community Trust & Justice, Chief Womack has firsthand, practical knowledge regarding the work necessary to improve trust between a community and the criminal justice system. He has also developed and led effective individual- and area-based gun violence reduction strategies.

Commitment to public service

Chief Womack is a second-generation law enforcement officer with a demonstrated commitment to public service. Raised in Stockton, California, he began his law enforcement career in 1992 with the Stockton Police Department. Chief Womack worked his way up through the ranks in Stockton to Deputy Chief of Police, a position he held for eight years, second in command and responsible for two-thirds of the department's staff and budget.

With more than 34 years of law enforcement experience, Chief Womack also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from California State University, Stanislaus, and a Master of Arts in Security Studies from the prestigious Naval Postgraduate School. He also graduated from the FBI National Academy; a professional development program for local law enforcement leaders across the nation and abroad.

Retirement announcement

On March 10, 2026, Salem City Manager Krishna Namburi announced Chief Womack's retirement effective May 22, 2026.

To ensure continuity and stability in the department, Assistant Chief Brandon Ditto will serve as interim police chief for at least six months following Chief Womack’s retirement.