Portland police chief defends reforms amid anti-ICE protest criticism

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Portland Police Chief Bob Day defended his division’s reforms and "crowd assist" policing at the same time as federal brokers confronted violent anti-ICE protesters with out assist, after metropolis leaders ordered police to not reply.

Final week, Cammila Wamsley, director of Portland’s ICE workplace, mentioned the power has endured greater than 100 straight nights of violence, with Portland police largely absent beneath route from the mayor and metropolis council.

"It’s irritating for us to look at individuals be attacked on the road and know that we don’t have the authority to have the ability to actually step in until there’s some nexus to federal legislation," Wamsley mentioned.

She added that nightly protests have escalated past modifications and indicators, with bottle rockets hanging the ICE constructing, rocks shattering home windows, lasers concentrating on officers’ eyes and barricades blocking automobiles.

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Federal brokers face off with protesters exterior the ICE constructing in Portland, on Sept. 28, following President Trump’s order to deploy army troops to guard ICE services. (Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Pictures)

Regardless of these accounts, Day provided a really completely different image in an opinion piece printed by The Oregonian on Sunday, arguing that nationwide media protection of Portland and its police paint a deceptive and outdated image.

Day mentioned he's "deeply proud" of how Portlanders present up for each other repeatedly, and equally happy with his police division.

"Sadly, nationwide portrayals usually distort actuality. Portland is 145 sq. miles, but one metropolis block has drawn outsized consideration in information cycles. Viral clips — typically months or years previous — paint an image that's not in keeping with the Portland we see each day," Day wrote. "Whereas that is irritating, we're targeted on what issues: retaining Portlanders secure."

Day mentioned the division and its companions have decreased violent crime by 17% and efficiently facilitated quite a few peaceable protests as a part of town’s dedication to free speech.

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Portland police chief Bob Day mentioned violent crime is down 17% whereas rejecting claims that his officers do not make arrests of protesters close to the ICE facility who selected violence over peaceable demonstrations. (Fb)

Concerning protests on the federal constructing, Day mentioned his officers are making arrests and pursuing prosecutions.

"It’s necessary to notice that the Federal Protecting Service secures the constructing itself, whereas Portland Police manages the encircling neighborhoods," he mentioned. "Not too long ago, we've got seen individuals with various viewpoints come to the world with the intent to have interaction in violence and we're investigating a number of assaults; violence of any type is unacceptable – we've got and can proceed to make arrests and pursue prosecutions. Free speech doesn't embrace freedom to commit crimes."

"There are additionally those that wish to draw parallels about present occasions and 2020, when 100-plus nights of protests deeply impacted town and Portland Police. However this isn’t 2020 for a lot of causes," Day continued. "Since I turned chief two years in the past, I've witnessed important change. Reforms in use of power, crowd administration and accountability have reshaped how we function.

"As we've got proven with the quite a few large protests which have occurred this 12 months, massive demonstrations can happen peacefully, and when disturbances come up, we take focused motion that may shortly restore order," he continued. "5 years in the past, some metropolis and state management left the police bureau remoted. At present, that has modified. The bureau is a part of a united statewide effort, backed by sturdy management from the mayor, metropolis council, metropolis administrator, governor, our congressional delegation and fellow Portlanders."

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U.S. Border Patrol Brokers detain a demonstrator throughout a protest exterior of the ICE headquarters in south Portland, on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Reuters/Carlos Barria)

Day additionally addressed the Trump administration’s plan to deploy the Oregon National Guard to Portland alongside different federal legislation enforcement companies.

"One of many causes given for this motion has been that Portland Police aren't responding to public dysfunction," Day wrote. "Simply because officers aren't seen carrying tactical gear lining up earlier than crowds doesn't imply we're not responding. In truth, analysis exhibits that such techniques usually escalate crowd conduct."

As an alternative, he defined, his division makes use of a layered method to upholding public order, which begins with officers partaking with protest organizers earlier than demonstrations start.

Day mentioned the outreach has resulted in significant conversations and stronger relationships locally.

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The subsequent layer, he mentioned, is the Speedy Response Crew, educated to handle public order when prison conduct happens. A few of the responses could embrace making arrests.

"Our focus has shifted from ‘crowd management’ to ‘crowd assist,’ with an emphasis on outreach, preparation and communication," Day mentioned. "We now use evidence-based policing and crowd psychology in managing massive public gatherings. These improvements have helped us join with communities in new methods, already paying dividends in safer, extra respectful demonstrations."

Day closed his essay on an optimistic be aware, urging Portlanders to deal with civic engagement and neighborhood service.

"Relatively than specializing in what can't be executed, this is a chance to channel that power into motion — by volunteering, neighborhood service or civic engagement," he continued. "Turning dissonance into motion is way extra productive. Showcasing our metropolis in social media and different types of communication has been telling the true story.

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A Federal Protecting Service officer stands guard in entrance of demonstrators as protests towards Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) draw tons of to the ICE headquarters in south Portland, on Sept. 28, 2025. (John Rudoff/Reuters)

"Very like any main metropolis, our challenges are important, and we're addressing them," Day added. "But I imagine that is Portland’s alternative — to not be outlined by division, however to indicate resilience, unity and innovation."

Anti-ICE protests have continued throughout the nation in current weeks, together with in Portland and close to Chicago.

On Saturday, federal brokers have been rammed and boxed in by 10 vehicles close to Chicago, the place anti-ICE crowds have gathered for days and almost a dozen individuals have been arrested.

Earlier this summer season, President Donald Trump deployed Nationwide Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to immigration enforcement protests.

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On Saturday, a federal decide in Oregon quickly blocked the Trump administration from deploying the Nationwide Guard in Portland as a part of a lawsuit introduced by the state and metropolis.