Police captain in Oregon on leave amid illegal hunting probe

A Canby police captain remains on paid leave while state prosecutors review allegations that he used a police infrared thermal-imaging device

during a deer-hunting trip.

Capt. Doug Kitzmiller, 50, has been on leave since mid-December after state police initiated a criminal misdemeanor investigation in Clackamas County,

according to Canby Police Chief Jorge Tro.

The state made hunting with thermal and infrared devices illegal several years ago.

State police served nine search warrants and seized 14 infrared devices on Dec. 15 and 16 after their Fish and Wildlife troopers received multiple complaints of hunters using the technology to kill deer and elk in the county. They made 13 arrests but didn’t identify who was charged.

People cannot use the devices to hunt, locate or scout for wildlife in Oregon because the sensing technology reveals heat signatures in complete darkness or heavy cover and thus undermines an animal’s natural ability to conceal itself, according to the state police Fish and Wildlife Division.

State police submitted its investigative reports to the Clackamas County District Attorney’s office on March 3.

The district attorney’s office referred the case to the state Department of Justice for review on March 27 to avoid a potential conflict, according to Chris Owen, chief deputy district attorney. Clackamas County prosecutors have worked closely with Kitzmiller in the past, Owen said.

Jenny Hansson, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice, confirmed this week that state prosecutors are still reviewing allegations of official misconduct and illegal hunting against Kitzmiller.

Kitzmiller did not return messages seeking comment.

Kitzmiller retired at the start of October after 26 years with the Canby Police Department. He continued to earn a salary under a “work after retirement” program that state lawmakers approved in

two separate bills in 2019 and 2023

. Certain retirees under the state Public Employees Retirement System can work for an unlimited number of hours for a state employer while receiving their retirement benefit.

Kitzmiller began collecting a monthly pension of $9,462 after his Oct. 1, 2024, retirement at a final salary of $161,623, according to state records. His annual retirement is calculated at $113,549. He joined Canby police in January 1998 and was promoted to captain in April 2021.

His current annual Canby police salary is $146,710.30, according to the city.

— Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X

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