Police Chief Biographies

Chief Bob Day

Chief Bob Day was sworn in as Chief of Police on October 11, 2023.

Bob Day retired as Deputy Chief of the Portland Police Bureau in 2019. Following his retirement, 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.

Bob 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.

Bob’s law enforcement experience spans 29 years. After being appointed to the Portland Police Bureau on April 26, 1990, he held multiple ranks including officer, sergeant, lieutenant and captain. Bob served as the Central Precinct commander, as well as tactical incident commander and crowd control commander. He was appointed to Assistant Chief and later, Deputy Chief in May 2018. As a member of the chiefs executive team, he oversaw the majority of the day-to-day responsibilities of the Police Bureau, focusing mainly on operations and investigations.

During his years of service Bob developed a reputation as a skilled leader and innovative manager. He has been honored by multiple community groups and business organizations for his dedication to community policing values and concepts. Bob 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.

Bob has a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and Leadership from George Fox University.  He also holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Clackamas Community College.

Deputy Chief Brian Hughes 

Brian Hughes was appointed to Deputy Chief on May 21, 2026, after serving as Assistant Chief of the Operations Branch since December 2025. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Commander of Central Precinct.

Brian began his law enforcement career in 1997 as an officer with the Lake Oswego Police Department before joining the Portland Police Bureau on September 11, 2003. He was assigned to Central Precinct, where he served in patrol and the Neighborhood Response Team until his promotion to Sergeant in 2014.

In 2020, Brian was promoted to Lieutenant and served as an Executive Officer in the Chief's Office before later being assigned as a Homicide Lieutenant. In 2023, he was promoted to Captain and served in the Personnel Division, followed by an assignment at East Precinct. In June 2024, he became the Acting Commander of Central Precinct and was officially appointed to Commander in January 2025.

Brian's career is marked by dedication, professionalism, and service. He received the Commendation Medal for his pivotal role in a national diamond theft investigation that resulted in multiple federal prosecutions and was later featured on ABC's 20/20. During his tenure at Central Precinct, he led efforts that contributed to significant reductions in crime and drug dealing in Downtown Portland, supporting the return of over one million visitors to the City Center through focused strategies to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

Brian holds advanced and management certificates through the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training and is currently pursuing a professional degree completion program.

Assistant Chief Rob Simon: Operations Branch

Rob grew up in Southeast Portland and Gresham, as nearly a lifelong resident of the Portland Metro area he is grounded in the area. While attending Portland State University, Rob wandered through a career fair and struck up a conversation with a Portland Police Bureau recruiter, that idea stuck. Rob is currently working on finishing his Bachelor's Degree.

Rob was appointed to the Portland Police Bureau in late 2001, and spent most of his career working at Central and North Precincts. He was a principle participant in the development of the Street Services Coordination Center and has been on the forefront of policy development addressing the homelessness crisis in Portland.

Rob is a board member for Camp Rosenbaum, a member of the Oregon Association of Chief's of Police and International Association of Chief's of Police. Rob has earned numerous letters of commendation highlighting his professionalism, compassion, and skill in responding to those in crisis. He earned two Unit Commendation Medals for his work with Street Crime Units and an Achievement Medal for his collaboration with city partners on illegal camping initiatives. Rob also earned a Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptional leadership as Captain of Central Precinct, where he spearheaded major efforts including the Street Services Coordination Center and the Strategic Prosecution and Services Unit.

In January 2023, Rob was promoted to Commander and assigned to North Precinct, and then the Detective Division.

Rob was appointed to Assistant Chief, overseeing the Investigations Branch on December 4, 2025 and moved to lead the Operations Branch in May 2026. 

Assistant Chief Franz Schoening: Investigations Branch

Franz was appointed to the Portland Police Bureau on January 17, 2002, and began his career at Southeast Precinct, where he served in Patrol and the Neighborhood Response Team. Following his promotion to sergeant in 2007, he held assignments at Central Precinct, the Mounted Patrol Unit, North Precinct, and the Emergency Management Unit.

Promoted to lieutenant in 2018, Franz served in several leadership roles across the Bureau, including Executive Officer in the Chief's Office, commander of the Rapid Response Team in the Tactical Operations Division, and supervisor in the Detective Division, where he oversaw the Sex Crimes, Human Trafficking, and Robbery Units.

Franz was promoted to the rank of captain in 2022 and was assigned to the Training Division where he oversaw the Bureau's delivery of Advanced Academy and In-Service training and moved the Training Division into substantial compliance with the Department of Justice Settlement Agreement.

In 2024 Franz was appointed Commander of the Specialized Resources Division. In that role, he oversaw many of the Bureau's specialized tactical, operational, and emergency response units. Franz oversaw the rebuilding of the Bureau's Rapid Response Team and implementation of recommendations from the Independent Monitor LLC's critical assessment of the Bureau's response to the civil unrest the City of Portland experienced in 2020. Franz also engaged with the City's Ceasefire Program and the Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight group to refine the Bureau's approach to reducing gun violence; using evidence-based policing practices that aligned with community values.

Franz has extensive experience in public order management and serves as the Crowd Management Incident Commander program manager. He is recognized internationally for his work in the study of public order policing and has helped advance the Portland Police Bureau's public order capabilities, training, and operational practices. His leadership has contributed to the Bureau's reputation as a national leader in this field. Franz helped develop and implement the Bureau's recent shift towards a dialogue-led facilitative approach to 1^st Amendment demonstrations.

Throughout his career, Franz has received dozens of commendations and has been awarded a Unit Commendation Medal with Valor, two Commendation Medals, and an Achievement Medal in recognition of his service and contributions to the Bureau.  As Assistant Chief, Franz brings more than two decades of operational, investigative, tactical, and executive leadership experience to the Investigations Branch.

Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan: Services Branch

Amanda McMillan was appointed as Assistant Chief of the Investigations Branch on May 9, 2024. She moved to oversee the Services Branch in May 2026.  

Amanda was appointed to the Portland Place Bureau on November 29th, 2001.  She finished her training and was assigned to Northeast Precinct.  In 2014, Amanda was promoted to sergeant and assigned to East Precinct and then the Professional Standards Division. In 2019, Amanda was promoted to Lieutenant and was assigned to the Youth Services Division, Drugs and Vice Division, the Detective Division and North Precinct.

Amanda was promoted to Captain in 2022 and assigned to the Internal Affairs Division and then the next year, she was promoted to Commander and assigned to the Professional Standards Division.

Amanda earned Unit Commendation Medals for her work with the Emergency Operations Center, Behavioral Health Unit, Employee Assistance Program’s Peer Support Team, and the Safety Team.  She has also been a dedicated member of the Portland Police Honor Guard and guiding force with the Police Historical Society. Due to her efforts, she was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal.

Amanda earned a bachelor’s degree from Seattle University and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.  She is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, which is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement managers nominated by their agency heads because of demonstrated leadership qualities.