Portland Police Chief: We Must Work Together

"The community and the police must work together if we're going to have success," Portland Police Chief Michael Marshman told an audience Thursday. He was speaking at a ceremony promoting commanders and swearing in four new officers.

"Twenty-first century policing is complex and challenging to say the least," he said.

"We ask our police officers to wear many hats. They need to be warriors but they need to be guardians and social workers and do all that simultaneously."

Marshman, who was also sworn in - he was appointed chief earlier this month - once again laid out what he said are his three main goals, which he said are "straightforward and achievable.

"Community trust is the key if we're going to have success," he said.

Marshman also said "internal legitimacy" is very important - members of the bureau have to treat each with respect if they are going to meet outside challenges. The third goal, he said is "DOJ compliance."

The police bureau is operating a settlement with the Department of Justice, which has been overseeing the implementation of a series of reforms.

"Every decision has to advance of those three goals," he said.

Marshman took the opportunity of swearing in new officers to remind people that the bureau is facing a staffing crisis.

"We need more police officers," he said. "We are at critical staffing levels."

Marshman said that by the end of October, they will have 100 police officer vacancies. By the end of the next five years, they will have 385 openings.

"That's a lot," said Marshman. "It's going to take time and effort. We need to look like the community that we serve."

Marshamn said that the bureau has made progress but there is still more work to do.

"This is not a time of retreat," he said. "It is a time to reach out."

look like the community that we serve - that's crucial.

In addition to Marshman being sworn in, three people were promoted to assistant chief - Mike Leloff, Chris Uehara and Matt Wagenknecht - and two captains - Chris Davis - were promoted to commaner.