History Full operation of the Port of Portland Police Department at Portland International Airport began in 1957. Until that time, officers were commissioned through local police departments in the Portland metropolitan area.
Today, Port of Portland police officers have statewide authority, with the majority of their enforcement activities directed toward airport properties.
Personnel The Police Department has one chief, one captain, three lieutenants, eight sergeants, one administrative coordinator, three clerks and 39 police officers, including detectives, canine personnel and bomb technicians. The department also coordinates a bicycle patrol program.
Shifts Police officers are assigned to one of three eight-hour shifts. Shifts are assigned once per year based on seniority. Officers work a five-day, 40-hour work week with two days off. Those called back to work during emergencies are paid overtime. Officers also receive overtime pay for time spent in court outside their regular shift, and for working extra shifts as assigned in accordance with staffing needs. Those who undergo training during overtime hours can choose to be paid or receive compensatory time. Officers who work a paid holiday receive eight hours of holiday compensatory time in addition to pay at the overtime rate.
Work Environment PDX is the gateway to Portland, the state of Oregon and Southwest Washington. The Police Department emphasizes a high level of professionalism and visibility. Officers are normally assigned to foot patrol within the airport terminal or to vehicle patrol on the public roadways and non-public airfield perimeter.
In addition to the traditional aspects of law enforcement patrol, officers assist travelers, work closely with airline personnel, and enforce Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security rules and regulations. Officers are required to respond to a variety of emergency situations, some of which may be life threatening in nature. The department maintains the highest levels of officer safety training, procedures and equipment, but risk is always inherent in police work.
Officers respond to crimes in progress and other calls for service, conduct criminal investigations, and complete professional police reports. Officers police the public roadways, enforce traffic laws, issue citations and investigate traffic collisions. Officers also enforce Port ordinances governing the airport´s non-public roadways.
Officers provide for the security of the airport, which includes security patrols of the airport perimeter, enforcement of the airport´s security plan and access systems, participation in intelligence networks, and support of the FBI, TSA, and U.S. Customs security functions.
Equipment The Port of Portland provides required police equipment, including nylon (web) gear, uniforms (except shoes), handgun, ammunition, ASP baton, pepper spray, handcuffs, keys, less lethal X26 Tasers and police radios.
Pay Scale Following is the current pay scale for Port of Portland police officers as defined in the collective bargaining agreement:
Lateral Transfers The Port of Portland welcomes lateral transfers of police officers and Sheriff´s deputies currently certified and working as law enforcement officers in the United States. Lateral applicants must have a minimum of one year of law enforcement experience prior to accepting employment with the Port of Portland. The level of pay is dependent upon the number of years of service, up to a maximum of five years, which is the top step for Port of Portland police officers.