By Aneesa Grant, The Portland Medium
During a joint press event last week, Mayor Ted Wheeler and Portland Police Bureau Chief Charles ‘Chuck’ Lovell announced a significant change in the leadership of the Police Bureau. Chief Lovell is stepping down from his role as Chief of Police, and the interim position will be filled by Bob Day. Chief Lovell will transition to lead the Bureau’s community engagement efforts in his new role.
“Chief Lovell has provided steadfast leadership during unprecedented times,” Mayor Wheeler commended. “He has my full support, admiration, and gratitude for his dedicated service.”
This announcement comes in the wake of last fall’s approval by Portland voters for an overhaul to the City Charter, scheduled to take effect on January 1st, 2025. As part of this transition, Bob Day will serve as the interim Police Chief until June 2025, allowing the newly elected Mayor and City Council to determine the future leadership of the bureau.
Bob Day is set to officially assume his role as interim Police Chief starting October 11, 2023.
Chief Chuck Lovell took the oath as Chief of Police on June 11, 2020, amid a period of unprecedented challenges in Portland’s history. Throughout his tenure at the Portland Police Bureau, he has demonstrated his commitment to collaboration, cultural competency, and ethical leadership. Chief Lovell is recognized as a transformational leader who prioritizes self-growth and mentoring.
His journey within the Bureau began in 2002, and he has held various roles, including School Resource Officer, Detective Sergeant, and Acting Captain of the newly established Community Services Division. In this capacity, he provided strategic direction to critical units such as the Behavioral Health Unit, Service Coordination Team, Office of Community Engagement, and Homeless Community Liaison.
Bob Day brings a wealth of experience to his new role as interim Police Chief, having initially joined the Portland Police Bureau as an officer in 1990. Over the years, he has led various assignments and teams within the bureau, including the Training Division, Critical Incident Command, Crowd Management, and Operations Branch.
Day has been widely recognized for his innovative approaches to crime reduction strategies and his commitment to facilitating difficult conversations about race, civil disorder, behavioral health, and their implications for the criminal justice system. He has also served as a trusted advisor to leaders in both the corporate and public sectors and has been a sought-after presenter on topics such as leadership, resilience, and hope. Day’s career culminated in his appointment as Deputy Chief of Police in 2018 before his retirement in 2019.
According to officials, these leadership changes mark a pivotal moment for the Portland Police Bureau, providing an opportunity for a new vision and direction as the city approaches a transformational era in policing and community engagement.
