Portland's police chief has called out local politicians after another night of riots in the city.
Portland Chief Slams Local Officials Over Continuing Riots
On Tuesday, Police Chief Chuck Lovell released a statement, saying "our elected officials need to do their part to draw a line in the sand and to hold people accountable."
September 2, 2020
On Tuesday, Police Chief Chuck Lovell released a statement , saying "our elected officials need to do their part to draw a line in the sand and to hold people accountable."
Protests in the city have continued nightly for three months and have repeatedly turned into riots.
"The violent behavior must end," Lovell said in his statement.
Lovell didn't specify which elected officials he was addressing, Business Insider reports.
However, the Multnomah County district attorney has drawn criticism for saying his office would not prosecute certain low-level offenders arrested at the Portland protests or even during declared riots.
In response to Lovell's statement, District Attorney Mike Schmidt's office released a statement saying: “We continue to prioritize public safety resources in Multnomah County by focusing on the violent crimes occurring at protests and in our community, including the recent and alarming increase in gun violence this summer,” the statement said.
More Command
Sponsored•October 27, 2025
How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management
Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.
Read More →
More IACP 2025 From the Show Floor
Watch expanded coverage of IACP 2025 as the POLICE Magazine team walks the aisles at the expo and shares what we found interesting on display for chiefs from across the country and around the world this week in Denver, Colorado.
Read More →
IACP 2025 - From the Show Floor
Take a look inside the expo at IACP 2025 to see a sampling of what is displayed for chiefs from across the country and around the world this week in Denver, Colorado.
Read More →
Pro-gard Expands Law Enforcement Vehicle Protection and Transport Solutions
Pro-gard has introduced HD Fender and Headlight Wraps for added front-end protection and a new P1300 Pro-Cell transport system for Ford F-150 and Super Duty models.
Read More →
COPS Teams With The Wounded Blue To Help Injured And Disabled Law Enforcement Officers And Their Families
Free officer-wellness training comes to Las Vegas Sept. 22–25: The Wounded Blue’s 5th Annual National Law Enforcement Survival Summit opens registration.
Read More →
Video: Officer Crawls Across Ladder to Rescue Family from Floodwaters
When floodwaters overturned a vehicle in rural New Mexico, Officer Walker Eby risked his life—crawling over raging currents on a ladder—to rescue a woman, her child, and their dog.
Read More →
Ahmedabad, India, to Host 2029 World Police & Fire Games
Birmingham, Alabama, hosted the 2025 World Police & Fire Games, and Ahmedabad, India, has been announced as the host city for 2029.
Read More →
Trump Calls Out National Guard to Address D.C. Crime
The memorandum says D.C. is a Federal city and violent crime “prevents Federal workers from safely performing their duties and prevents Americans from safely accessing their elected officials.”
Read More →
Atlanta Police Introduce New Uniforms for 2026 World Cup
Chief Darin Schierbaum said the new uniforms are made of a lightweight fabric with four-way stretch, UV protection, and ventilation to make officers more comfortable in the Atlanta heat.
Read More →