Any public employee union contract is grounded in two basic concepts. First, public employees have constitutional rights to include basic due process rights. Second, public employees have the right to collectively bargain working conditions that allow them to best serve their communities. Earlier today in the City Council work session, we heard from individuals from[…]

Within the last week, much has been written about our upcoming contract negotiations. Many of those articles point to certain community expectations and goals related to changes—or “reforms”—to our contract. In response, officials from City Hall, including the Mayor, have alluded to their desire to bargain in good faith with the PPA. What we all[…]

Public safety officers come under attack all too frequently in the United States, simply for doing our jobs. The Portland Police Association is a founding member of the United Coalition of Public Safety (UCOPS), a national coalition of law enforcement unions. UCOPS has launched a digital ad campaign to support U.S. Senate Bill 1480, the “Back[…]

Today the Portland Police Bureau came together with many other partners in law enforcement and kept Portlanders safe as they practiced free speech. The strategic plan put together by Chief Outlaw and all the parties involved was executed with precision, diligence, and professionalism by the rank and file who braved adversity while dealing with volatile[…]

As Portland Police Association President, I have consistently advocated for a zero-tolerance response to the lawlessness, violence, and destruction of property during protests. Our community is frustrated, fed up, and angry. Time and again, we have watched our City and the Portland Police Bureau be thrown into the national spotlight. Saturday, August 17, 2019, Portland[…]

On August 1, 2020, the Portland Police Bureau will come face-to-face with its most daunting challenge ever. Nearly 150 cops will become eligible to retire, either by time in service or by age. The Bureau is already facing catastrophic staffing shortages with about 125 vacant sworn officer positions while recruiting and retention efforts are falling[…]

Freedom of expression is a fundamental Constitutional right. The ability to express opinion and speak freely in a safe environment is essential to democracy. The job of police officers during protests is to uphold the right to free speech while providing a safe environment for both protest participants and those simply enjoying a day in[…]

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[…]