Portland Police Return to TriMet Transit Division After Five-Year Absence
After a five-year absence, the Portland Police Bureau has rejoined the TriMet Transit Police Division — a move officials hope will strengthen safety and coordination across the region’s public transit system. The change follows an agreement announced on August 29, 2025, and marks the first time Portland officers have been assigned to the unit since the city withdrew in 2020, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB).
Background
Portland stepped away from the Transit Police Division in 2020 during a period of nationwide debate over policing and public accountability, as reported by OPB. Since then, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office has overseen transit law enforcement with help from agencies in Beaverton, Hillsboro, and the Port of Portland.
Under the new agreement, TriMet will again contract with Portland for five police officers and one sergeant. TriMet’s official announcement stated that the change brings total staffing in the Transit Police Division to 31 sworn officers drawn from several local jurisdictions. Metro Magazine confirmed those numbers in its independent coverage.
What Officials Are Saying
TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. described the renewed partnership as “a benefit for riders and the region,” while Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell said the shared effort “will increase our collective presence on the system, deterring crime and reassuring riders.” Both comments were included in TriMet’s news release.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Police Chief Bob Day have also expressed support, calling the partnership part of a broader push to rebuild public confidence in safety downtown and on public transportation, according to KATU News.
Continuing Safety Concerns
Even with added staffing, TriMet still faces serious safety challenges. In recent years, riders and employees have reported assaults, drug activity, and occasional fatal collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists. OPB noted that calls for police service on the TriMet system have fallen by about 50 percent since 2021, which TriMet credits to its layered approach combining law enforcement with unarmed security and outreach teams.
Critics, however, say fewer police and slower response times have left some riders feeling unsafe, especially in higher-crime areas like downtown Portland and the Lloyd District.
Looking Ahead
It remains to be seen whether the return of PPB officers will translate into safer conditions for TriMet riders. The agency continues to invest in security cameras, blue-light emergency phones, and a 24-hour security operations center. Officials say those efforts, paired with renewed law enforcement coordination, are all part of a long-term plan to make riders feel safer — and to make the system safer in practice.
But Bruce Hansen, former president of the transit union ATU 757, said TriMet needs stronger enforcement of its own rider rules — things like paying fare, not using drugs, and not disturbing others. He added that TriMet hasn’t hired enough of the appropriate staff to do that.
Call Us to Find Out How We Can Help
If you or someone you love has been injured or assaulted on a TriMet bus, train, or platform, contact the Law Office of Benjamin B. Grandy, PC for a free consultation. Our firm handles cases involving negligence, unsafe conditions, and failures in public safety on Oregon’s transit systems.
For more information about bringing claims against TriMet, visit our TriMet Accident and Injuries page.
Last Updated: 12/5/25
