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Public Order Information

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Police Event Liaison Officer uniform
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) is committed to ensuring public safety while protecting the rights of individuals to lawfully and peacefully gather and exercise their First Amendment rights. Whether you're planning an event or attending one, here's everything you need to know.

Our Goals During Public Events:

  • Protect First Amendment Rights: We ensure everyone can peacefully assemble and express their free speech.
  • Maintain Peace and Safety: We work to prevent violence and damage to public and private property.
  • De-escalation First: We discourage confrontations between opposing groups to avoid violence and ensure community safety.
  • Follow-Up Investigations: Even if immediate arrests aren't made, we investigate criminal behavior that occurs during public events.

Planning or Attending a Demonstration?

If You’re an Event Organizer:

The Portland Police Bureau strongly encourages organizers to:

  • Obtain Permits: Secure permits for using public spaces like parks or streets. This helps ensure events are well-coordinated and safe.
  • Work with Our Liaison Teams: Our Liaison Teams are here to assist in planning your event and can help create a safe environment for all participants. Liaison Officers may be contacted at PPBLiaison@police.portlandoregon.gov.

If You’re Attending an Event:

  • Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Stay alert during large gatherings. Listen for public address announcements from our Sound Truck, which provides important updates and instructions.
  • Follow Instructions: If police intervene due to criminal activity, listen and follow the directions given by officers or over the Sound Truck. Not following police instructions could lead to arrest.
  • Report Crime: You can report criminal behavior at events by calling 9-1-1 in an emergency, or by sending tips to CrimeTips@portlandoregon.gov. You can also make non-emergency police reports at (503) 823-3333.

Rapid Response Team (RRT)

The Rapid Response Team (RRT) is a specialized, all-hazard response unit within PPB. They are trained to respond quickly to events where higher levels of expertise and public safety management are needed, such as:

  • Managing large-scale public order events where criminal behavior is occurring.
  • Deploying strategies to de-escalate situations and protect public safety.

Learn more about the Rapid Response Team.


What You Should Know About the Law:

Weapons:

  • It’s unlawful to carry a loaded firearm in public unless you have a valid Oregon concealed handgun license. Portland City Code
  • Weapons are prohibited in parks. Violations may result in temporary or permanent seizure by police. Park Rules
  • Oregon does not recognize concealed handgun licenses from other states.

Bias-Motivated Crimes:

  • Crimes motivated by bias or hate are illegal under Oregon law. If you believe you’ve been a victim of such a crime, report it to the police. ORS 166.165 - Bias-Motivated Crimes

For more detailed laws on prohibited conduct, including weapon-related offenses, visit:


Crowd Management Policies:

PPB follows strict guidelines when managing crowds. These can be found in the Crowd Management/Crowd Control Directive.


Accommodations Provided by the Portland Police Bureau

The City of Portland operates in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, ORS Chapter 659 A, Portland City Code Title 23, and other related statutes and regulations. This ensures that no person is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in any City program, service, or activity on the basis of race, color, national origin, English proficiency, disability, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or familial status, or source of income.

The City of Portland also requires its contractors, vendors, and grantees to follow the same principles.

To ensure access to City programs, services, and activities, the City of Portland provides language translation and interpretation for individuals with limited English proficiency, modifies policies and procedures, and provides auxiliary aids, services, and/or alternative formats to persons with disabilities.

If you need an accommodation, modification, translation, interpretation, or other language services, or to file a complaint, please contact the Portland Police Bureau’s Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II coordinator:

For more information visit Translation, Interpretation, and Accommodation.


Complaints and Commendations:

For complaints or commendations about officer conduct, please contact the Office of Independent Police Review (IPR) to share your feedback.


Talking Beat Podcast: Public Order 2024

Explore the Portland Police Bureau’s approach to managing public order in the latest episode of the Talking Beat Podcast, now available on YouTube. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of policing large public gatherings, balancing public safety with the right to free speech and assembly.

Key topics include:

  • The layered approach to managing public order, focusing on de-escalation.
  • The role of the Rapid Response Team in high-risk events.
  • How event liaisons work with organizers to create a safe environment for everyone.
  • Real-world insights and international best practices in crowd management.

Watch the episode here: Talking Beat Podcast: Public Order 2024


For more information on public safety during demonstrations or to contact our Event Liaison Team, please email PPBLiaison@police.portlandoregon.gov. Together, we can ensure that our community remains safe while protecting the freedoms that make Portland special.