Before stepping down as Portland Police Chief, Jami Resch made a controversial move by allowing police officers to cover their name tags and badge numbers during protests. Portland Police Department Spokesperson Terri Wallo-Strauss said the decision was made when personal information about members of the police force was discovered and released online.
“The reason is our officers were being doxxed, and their safety and that of their families is paramount,” Wallo-Strauss told reporters.
“They can still be identified internally by the number displayed if needed,” the spokesperson added.
Since Resch’s order, Commander Erica Hurley has doubled down. In an email obtained by NPR affiliate, OPB, Hurley notified officer’s of the changed.
“Please let your officers/sergeants know as soon as possible they may cover their name tags on their uniforms with a label containing their BHR Personnel Number (PRN) number,” Hurley wrote.
“Also have them write their number on light colored tape on the back of their helmets,” Hurley added.
If protesters hope to make a complaint about a bad encounter with police during a protest, they must take that personnel number to the Independent Police Review.