PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Police Bureau is officially back on board with TriMet’s Transit Police Division after a nearly four-year hiatus, marking a renewed partnership city and regional leaders say will enhance rider safety and boost public confidence in the transit system.
TriMet and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office announced the move during a joint news conference on Friday, Aug. 29, alongside Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Police Chief Bob Day.
“As the largest city in TriMet’s service area, renewing our relationship with the City of Portland and the Portland Police Bureau is a benefit for TriMet, our riders, and the region,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr.
Under the new agreement, Portland is assigning five officers and one sergeant to the Transit Police Division. This addition brings the total number of law enforcement personnel in the unit to 31, including members from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Port of Portland Police, and the Beaverton and Hillsboro police departments.
The City of Portland previously ended its agreement with TriMet in 2020. MCSO took over as the lead agency for Transit Police in 2021 and continues in that role.
“Welcoming the Portland Police Bureau back to Transit Police will increase our collective presence on the transit system, deterring crime, building trust, and reassuring riders,” said Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell. “It also expands our capacity for high-visibility safety missions in areas with elevated public concern.”
The move comes as Portland sees a downward trend in both violent and property crimes.
“Portland has seen a promising decrease in crime, thanks to collaboration and community engagement,” said Mayor Wilson. “Bringing the Portland Police Bureau back into Transit Police builds on this momentum and ensures riders feel safe and supported.”
PPB Chief Bob Day echoed the sentiment, calling the partnership essential as the city continues to grow.
“The Portland Police Bureau is proud to rejoin Transit Police to help ensure the safety and security of our community on and around the transit system,” Day said.
A Collaborative Safety Model
TriMet’s Transit Police Division operates as a task-force model, contracting with local police agencies to assign officers to patrol the transit system. Officers respond to incidents via the regional 911 system, ensuring fast deployment.
At its peak, the division included 65 officers from 15 agencies. But like many departments nationwide, it has faced staffing shortages following the COVID-19 pandemic and the national police recruitment crisis.
TriMet continues to work with local agencies to bolster participation. Recent additions include a lieutenant from MCSO and three new officers from the Port of Portland Police Department.
“The more we’re able to collaborate across agencies, the better we can serve our community, ensure safety, and maintain a consistent presence,” said Beverly Pearman, Director of Public Safety & Security at the Port of Portland.
Safety Investments Pay Off
Since 2021, TriMet has expanded its public safety network beyond sworn officers. Nearly 500 personnel — including Transit Security Officers, Customer Safety Officers, and social service outreach teams — now support TriMet’s safety efforts.
As a result, calls for police services on the system — including crimes and non-criminal incidents like welfare checks — dropped nearly 50% between 2021 and 2024.
“TriMet provides about 1.3 million trips a week,” Desue said. “The vast majority occur without incident thanks to the dedication of the Transit Police staff, their fellow officers, and our safety and security teams.”
Jordan Vawter
Source link