Embattled Portland Police Chief Retires

Portland Mayor Charlie Hales blamed the media for creating a situation in which it became untenable for Police Chief Larry O'Dea to remain in his position.

O'Dea, who is retiring effective Monday, is at the center of three active investigations — two of which are criminal and one of which has ensnared his four top assistant chiefs — related to his shooting of a friend while they were on a hunting trip.

"I am disappointed by the trial by media," said Hales, who asked that when the investigations are complete, the media clear O'Dea as energetically as they "smeared" him.

"Chief O'Dea recognized the strain on the bureau and the need to move forward," said the mayor.

Hales named Capt. Mike Marshman interim chief. He takes over for Donna Henderson, an assistant chief who had been interim chief since O'Dea was placed on leave last month.

O'Dea has been under a microscope since late May when it came out that a month earlier he had shot a friend while they were on a hunting trip and attempted to cover it up, telling investigators at the time that his friend had accidentally shot himself.

While O'Dea almost immediately told Hales and his four assistant chiefs about what happened, no one notified the city's internal police review board as city policy dictates.

O'Dea is the subject of two criminal investigations related to the shooting and one administrative review about whether he followed city policy. The four chiefs, including Henderson, are being investigated because it's believed they did not follow policy.

O'Dea, the four assistant chiefs, and several other police bureau officials are under orders not to speak publicly about the investigation.

Marshman, who has been with the bureau for more than 25 years, has held a variety of positions, including serving as spokesman for the previous chief, Mike Reese.

He currently acts as the officer in charge of making sure the bureau complies with an agreement with the United States Department of Justice.

That agreement was reached after the feds determined Portland Police used excessive force against people who are mentally ill.

Several people told Patch that Marshman is well-respected not just within the police bureau but within the local law enforcement community and among city workers.

Marshman, who said the mayor had reached out to him on Thursday or Friday, told reporters he has three goals: build community trust, restore trust within the bureau, and focus on Department of Justice-mandated reforms.

Hales said he met with Mayor-elect Ted Wheeler early Monday to inform him of the change.

"Mike Marshman is a quality choice to fill the role of Portland Police Chief," Wheeler said. "I expect him to bring stability to the department and begin to address the significant public safety issues that exist in our community."

Wheeler, who has said he will conduct a nationwide search for a new police chief, said that he would consider Marshman "a top candidate" for the job if he wanted it.

Daryl Turner, president of the police union, praised the move, saying O'Dea's retirement means "a dark cloud has been lifted from over the Portland Police Bureau.

"We are optimistic that Chief Marshman can breathe new life into our police bureau."