Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell has announced that he is resigning as the city’s top law enforcement officer. He said that he will continue with PPD in helping his replacement. Chief Lovell and Mayor Ted Wheeler went public with the news last Wednesday at City Hall.
It was reported the Lovell was Wheeler’s longest-serving chief. In his remarks at City Hall, Lovell said he was appointed to the job “essentially overnight” by former Chief Jami Resch in June 2020. This happened when the city was in the middle of an uprising. It was also amid the national and local protests over the killing of George Floyd. Resch took over when Danielle Outlaw left to lead Philadelphia’s police force after just over two years in 2019.
Portland, just like many cities, has experienced a record number of homicides and traffic fatalities during the past few years. There was also a recruiting goal to increase the number of officers. The chief and lead staff said to the media that they were having challenges getting in new officers. The chief will be known for coming in during the COVID-19 pandemic, historic racial justice protests, as well as the homelessness crisis.
Chief Lovell said he will continue to work closely with the new leadership and Officer Day with whom he’s worked closely since Lovell joined the bureau in 2002. Lovell rose through the ranks from school resource officer until being named captain immediately before being tapped as chief.
Wheeler is now taking control over city bureaus during the next 15 months as the city moves toward its new form of government. At present, there are no plans to change leaders at other city agencies. Wheeler said he will not appoint a permanent police chief. He said that is best to be handed over to the next mayor.
