Bob Day

Bob Day was sworn in as Chief of Police for the City of Portland, Oregon on October 11, 2023. He was appointed by Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, who said "We share the priorities of building bridges with diverse communities, fostering trust through accountability and creating a cohesive community where everyone feels valued and safe.” Day previously retired as Deputy Chief of the Portland Police Bureau in 2019, after which he launched Reluctant Change, a company that offers workshops, keynote speeches and consulting services on how to use humility, curiosity, empathy and hope as a vital pathway to managing change and leading effectively. He has also worked as a consultant and contractor for various companies, including as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Red Door Project, Lones Management Consulting and as a Project Manager for Mayor Ted Wheeler’s Office. His law enforcement experience spans 29 years. He has been honored by multiple community groups and business organizations for his dedication to community policing values and concepts. He has championed equity issues and implicit bias training as critical components in contemporary policing He has led difficult but critical conversations regarding race and bias within his department, with other criminal justice leaders and community members.