PPB Promotes First Transgender Captain

PORTLAND, OR — Portland police Chief Danielle Outlaw on Friday announced the bureau would be getting a new captain later this month. Lieutenant Stephanie Lourenco will reportedly serve as Acting Captain until her official promotion on June 28.

An officer with the Portland Police Bureau since 1999, Lourenco worked her way up the ranks from patrol officer, through the Family Services Division/Domestic Violence Reduction Unit, and to her current rank as lieutenant of the Central Precinct's Family Services Division.

Additionally, Lourenco is the first transgender person to reach the rank of captain in the Portland Police Bureau's 148-year history.

"I selected Acting Captain Lourenco to be promoted because I am impressed by her leadership skills," Outlaw said in a statement. "She has demonstrated professionalism, ability to get things done and understands the importance of community engagement at a time when it is so needed. Since it is Pride Week, we wanted to highlight her accomplishments, but do not want to diminish the fact that this promotion is based solely on her skills and abilities."

Among Lourenco's career highlights, Outlaw noted her role as a volunteer with Gang Resistance Education and Training, Shop with a Cop, and other community events, as well as her time spent as an instructor focusing on Perspectives on Profiling.

Outlaw also pointed out Lourenco's involvement founding the Transgender Community of Police Officers/Sheriffs (TCOPS) 20 years ago.

In 2012, Lourenco also volunteered to share her thoughts and experiences in the bureau's "It Gets Better" video, which allowed officers from law enforcement agencies across the nation to discuss challenges faced by members of the LGBTQ community.

(Lourenco's portion in the video begins at 5:14)

After June 28, Lourenco will reportedly head the bureau's Traffic Division.

Image via Portland Police Bureau