Portland, Oregon Mayor Appoints New Public Safety Adviser
"We are at a critical time when it comes to the role of public safety. As my administration continues to navigate how to evolve policing to be relevant to the changing needs of our community, I am pleased to have Robert King join the team," Mayor Ted Wheeler said.
Ted Wheeler, the mayor of Portland, Ore., announced April 2 he has hired Robert King as his new senior advisor on public safety issues. King had returned after 27 years in the Portland Police Bureau as commander of the North Precinct. April 8 was scheduled to be his first day in the new job.
The mayor's announcement said King worked on a variety of assignments throughout his career, including serving as a patrol officer, SERT officer, detective, patrol supervisor, and as PPA president. In his career, he was promoted to lieutenant and captain before retiring as a commander. After an eight-month-long retirement, King returned to public service as a safety officer for the Bureau of Development Services, the announcement states.
"We are at a critical time when it comes to the role of public safety. As my administration continues to navigate how to evolve policing to be relevant to the changing needs of our community, I am pleased to have Robert King join the team. He brings many years of experience and insight that will be invaluable to my office. He also comes widely recommended from the community, having spent decades forging important relationships. Our police officers deserve the respect, attention, and resources they need now more than ever. I hope to continue building a strong relationship with the members of the bureau and our community with the help and guidance of Robert King," Wheeler said.
p>"I am thankful to Mayor Wheeler for this opportunity to serve the police bureau and community," King said. "I respect, admire, and appreciate the work done by members of the Portland Police Bureau. I am deeply committed to continuing the work of building bridges, as well as finding ways to heal hurting communities. I look forward to working collaboratively with members of the bureau and the public I serve."