On Jan. 5, 2022, former Burns Police Chief Newt Skunkcap resigned from his position with the city of Burns, effective immediately. 

Skunkcap had served as the Burns police chief since April 1, 2015, and he had been employed with the city since 2008. The city of Burns thanked Skunkcap for his years of service to the community in a press release.

On Jan. 6, the Burns City Council met in a special session to take action on a proposed Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the city of Burns and Harney County for interim police chief services.

On Jan. 7, it was announced that Harney County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Lucas McLain would be temporarily assigned as the interim chief of police for the City of Burns while the city begins the hiring process to permanently fill the position.

“We are answering a request for assistance by agreeing to assist the city of Burns in this temporary capacity in order to continue serving the community,” Harney County Sheriff  Dan Jenkins wrote in a press release dated Jan. 7. “We are not otherwise contracting police services for the city.”

Sheriff Jenkins added, “During this temporary assignment, Lt. McLain will be under the management of the city of Burns. He will remain an employee of the sheriff’s office and will return to his normal duties following the temporary assignment, expected to last 90 days or less.”

The city of Burns thanked Harney County, the Harney County Sheriff’s Office, the city of Hines, and the Hines Police Department for assisting with law-enforcement services during this time.