It doesn’t matter if our citizens are democrats or republicans; no one should be attacked in the streets of our city. Good leadership means taking the reins and stepping forward to let people know when there is wrongdoing. The law is applicable no matter which side you’re on. Where are the voices condemning the lawlessness[…]

Yesterday’s incident, when officers responded to a hostage situation with an armed suspect holding a victim at knifepoint and threatening to have an explosive device, is yet another example of the gravity and unpredictability of police work. No matter how officers try to de-escalate, no matter how many other force options officers have available, officers[…]

In memory of Those Who Sacrifice All to Protect and Serve Our Communities As always, I am humbled and honored to speak on behalf of the rank and file of the Portland Police Association as we pay tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of the communities they serve. We also[…]

Last week, Chief Outlaw and her staff sat in front of the Portland City Council during budget hearings and tried to explain why recruiting and retaining police officers has become a catastrophic problem for the Portland Police Bureau. At one point Chief Outlaw pointed out the elephant in the room: applicants would rather work at[…]

Protest events in Portland have become hotbeds of violence. Protestors, often armed with makeshift weapons, have fought each other, assaulted community members, and hurled objects at police officers. Those bad acts by the few have drowned out the voices of the many who just want to peacefully speak their minds. Portland is not necessarily alone[…]

Portland has become one of the most politically violent cities in America. Lawlessness, aggression, and violence have replaced peaceful protests. In a harshly divided nation, we have become a stark example of what happens when fringe groups get exactly what they ask for with their grandstanding – attention. Our City continues to grapple with the[…]

Solving homelessness requires more than programs and political rhetoric; it requires vision where homelessness is seen as a humanitarian crisis that affects everyone in our communities. Our elected officials continue to invest tens of millions of dollars into programs, touting the tremendous progress the city has made helping people get back into housing. But, their[…]

Like many Portlanders and Oregonians, I anticipated that last Saturday’s protest in Waterfront Park would become a more dangerous and volatile situation than it did. I’m thankful that our officers were there to maintain general public safety and, to the degree possible, provide a safe venue for those who truly sought to peacefully protest. Growing[…]

As police officers, our primary responsibility and duty is public safety; to ensure our city is a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. If someone calls for help and police are dispatched, we respond, without regard to who you are or where you are from. It makes no difference whether you are[…]

Thank you to our members and the citizens of Portland for the overwhelming support and encouragement this past week as we voiced grave concerns about the policies surrounding livability in our city. We received thousands of positive comments, phone calls, emails, letters, and text messages thanking the PPA for shining a bold light on these[…]