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Chief Bob Day shares his journey from David Douglas High School student to Portland Police Chief, and why he chose to serve his hometown for nearly three decades. Hear his story—and why now is the perfect time to consider a career with the Portland Police Bureau.
Published
In a recent video, Chief Bob Day reflects on his journey through the Portland Police Bureau — a path that began long before he ever wore the badge. A proud graduate of David Douglas High School, Class of ’86, Chief Day shares how his early experiences in East Portland shaped his love for the city and laid the foundation for a lifelong career in service.
“I started my career in 1990,” he says. “I retired in 2019 as the deputy chief, and then I returned as the chief in the fall of 2023.”
Before joining the Bureau, Chief Day washed dishes at Elmer’s, pumped gas in high school, and even considered becoming a pastor while attending Multnomah Bible College. But a visit from a police chaplain sparked something different — a sense of purpose that he couldn't ignore.
“It was like a duck to water,” he says, describing his early days in law enforcement. Though he once considered joining LAPD, a few wise mentors encouraged him to give Portland a try first. Once he did, he never looked back.
“I got hired by Portland, and I’m like, ‘Oh, I don’t need to go to LAPD. This place is awesome.’ Why would I go down there when I can do a lot of that work right here?”
Over a 29-year career (and counting), Chief Day has experienced nearly every facet of the job: patrol, air support, tactical teams, and leadership roles. But what stands out most to him are the relationships — with fellow officers, with community members, and with people whose lives he’s been able to touch along the way.
“If you're just kicking it around and wondering what’s next, or what opportunities are out there — this is the time. Give us a shot.”
He emphasizes that even going through the hiring process brings benefits: rigorous training, life-long friendships, and a deeper understanding of the community. And for those who stick with it, the job offers something few careers can match — a front-row seat to humanity and the chance to make a real difference.
“Some of it’s hard,” he admits, “but much of it is very meaningful and very impactful — not only for those you’re serving, but for us as individual officers as well.”
As Portland grows and changes, so does the Bureau. Today, PPB is actively hiring and looking for people who want to be part of something bigger than themselves — people ready to serve, to listen, and to lead.
“Portlanders are asking for a deeper, more personal relationship with their police department,” Chief Day says. “And we are all striving to make Portland better. Come be a part of that with us.”
Now Hiring: The Portland Police Bureau is hiring officers.
Looking for an exciting & rewarding career, with benefits? We're hiring! Salary ranges $84k-$120k +pay incentives. Benefits are 95% paid by the city.
Join Portland Police