Portland Needs More Police, Union Says, And They Have A Plan

PORTLAND, OR — The union representing Portland's police officer has a 5 year plan to increase the number of officers in the Portland Police Bureau. Portland Police Association president Daryl Turner says that their "Vision for Public Safety and Portland Police" will address the surge in gun violence and ensure "the safety of Portlanders and our officers."

While the union is currently negotiating a new contract with the city, the union says the plan is not a bargaining chip.

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Turner says that Portland's population has grown by nearly 200,000 over the past 20 years. Despite that, the city has fewer officers now than in 1999.

The union's plan states that the city should:

1. Add 50 retire-rehire police officer positions in each of the next 2 fiscal years. The retire-rehire officers allow PPB to bridge the gap until new hires can be recruited and trained and allows continuity in policing services.

2. Add additional testing opportunities, background investigators, and recruiters to broaden PPB’s recruiting net.

3. Add local, PPB-hosted, combined basic and advanced academies to train new hires on the unique style of Portland policing, which may include lobbying the State Legislature for enabling statutes to hold local academies.

4. Ensure aggressive local, regional, and national recruiting that highlights PPB as a sophisticated policing agency and the Pacific Northwest as a desirable place to live, and that brings to Portland the type of professionals we want serving our communities.

5. Solidify retention through industry leading wages and benefits to maintain current and newly-hired officers.

The union claims that if their plan is adopted, it will increase the number of officers to 2.5 officers per 1,000 residents from 1.36 officers per 1,000 residents.

Mayor Wheeler has not yet responded to the proposal but is scheduled to address budget priorities next week.