Governor Tina Kotek announced that she hired Casey Codding to serve as the superintendent of the Oregon State Police (OSP), and Philip Castle to serve as the director of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST).

Casey Codding is a familiar name that goes back to dark memories when Lavoy Finicum was targeted by State Police. Codding’s name was accidentally stated as the shooter of what was revealed as a pre-planned event in the trial of FBI agent W. Joseph Astarita for lying about the shooting in August of 2018. The judge ordered that it be redacted from transcripts, but what was heard quickly spread. Codding was praised by government for helping the FBI, but many saw it as a trap. According to police records, it was Codding’s third killing.

Governor Kotek appointed Codding for his 27 years at OSP where he gained extensive experience in managing critical incident investigations, advancing officer training, and management of agency operation projects as well as receiving many awards including Excellence in Leadership and the Herald Berg Lifesaving award.

He started as a cadet, before he was hired as an OSP Trooper and served in the Patrol Service Division for over 8 years, which included years in Crash Reconstruction, Special Operations, and Field Training. After two years in the Criminal Division, and time as a Patrol Sergeant, Codding was then promoted through the ranks and held positions such as Special Operations Lieutenant, Region Captain, Operations Bureau Major, and Deputy Superintendent.

Through all of his roles, Codding held true to OSP’s mission and values to serve all people, and safeguard our communities, property, and natural resources while building upon a diverse, professional workforce.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Philip Castle brings over 20 years of experience in decision-making, change management, instructional design, project management, and program implementation to DPSST. Castle spent 21 years in the US Army in a variety of roles including as a medic, in leadership, and as a training and operations manager. He also has a master’s degree in education, with a specialty in adult education and training.

Among Castle’s professional accomplishments, he served as the Agency Training, Development, Talent Acquisition and Diversity Manager at the Health Care Authority in Washington state. In that role, Castle oversaw the Diversity and Inclusion Manager of the agency and helped to keep diversity and inclusion at the forefront of all agency activities.

He then worked for the Washington State Employment Security Department for five years where he quickly advanced from their Chief Learning Officer and Organizational Development Manager to his most recent position as Chief Operating Officer Deputy Commissioner.

“Incoming directors Castle and Codding each bring robust and diverse experience to run two of Oregon’s most critical public safety agencies,” said Governor Kotek. “Each has demonstrated leadership in managing large scale operations, strategic planning and a pointed focus on equity and public safety which will set up both DPSST and OSP for success.”


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-02-13 19:30:53

Last Update: 2023-02-13 20:53:47