The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) is asking for public assistance in identifying a woman wanted in connection with an alleged assault that occurred near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. The incident involved a specialized officer who lost contact with the suspect after she refused a lawful order to stop and fled the scene.
The event took place on a Tuesday evening and has since been escalated to the bureau's Major Crimes Unit for a full investigation. The interaction highlights the specific role of the city's Dialogue Liaison Officers, who are tasked with de-escalation during public gatherings.
Key Takeaways
- Portland police are searching for a female suspect following an alleged assault near the city's ICE building.
- A Dialogue Liaison Officer (DLO) attempted to detain the woman, but she fled the location.
- The DLO program was established to build relationships with protesters and de-escalate tense situations.
- The investigation has been assigned to the PPB's Major Crimes Unit for further follow-up.
Details of the Incident
According to a news release from the Portland Police Bureau, the event began shortly before 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday. A Dialogue Liaison Officer (DLO) was monitoring a gathering in the South Portland neighborhood near the ICE facility when an individual approached him to report a recent assault.
The victim provided a description of the alleged assailant, prompting the DLO to locate and approach a woman matching the description. The officer’s intent, as stated by the PPB, was to speak with her and understand her perspective on the reported events.
The woman, however, did not stop when approached. The DLO then informed her that she was being detained, which is a lawful police order. The suspect allegedly refused to comply with the order and ran away from the officer, who subsequently lost track of her.
Suspect Description and Police Response
Following the suspect's departure, the DLO requested additional police resources. Patrol officers arrived at the scene around 9:00 p.m. to meet with the victim and initiate a formal investigation into the assault allegation.
The police have released a description of the suspect to the public. She is identified as a young, White female with a large septum nose piercing. At the time of the incident, she was reportedly wearing a black mask, cargo-style pants, and carrying a backpack.
The case has been officially assigned to a detective within the Major Crimes Unit. The PPB has stated that its members will continue to conduct follow-up investigations and will forward cases to the Multnomah County District Attorney for potential prosecution when sufficient evidence is gathered.
The Role of Dialogue Liaison Officers
The incident brings attention to the specific function of Dialogue Liaison Officers within the Portland Police Bureau. DLOs are sworn police officers, but their primary mission is different from that of patrol officers. According to the bureau, their role is to act as a liaison and they typically do not engage in direct enforcement actions.
"PPB members continue to conduct follow-up investigations into criminal activity and will forward cases to the Multnomah County District Attorney for prosecution when feasible," the police bureau stated in their release. "Sometimes arrests are not made at the scene when tensions are high, and arrests are made at a later date."
This specialized unit was created in the aftermath of the widespread and often violent protests that occurred in Portland during 2020. The program's stated goal is to "build relationships with protesters" and manage public gatherings through communication rather than confrontation.
A Shift in Policing Strategy
Information on the city's official website provides further insight into the philosophy behind the DLO program. Officer Jessica Ruch, a DLO featured by the city, described the unit's purpose in a May 2025 post. She explained that liaison officers are present at demonstrations to "get an idea of what that group is going to need to create or hold a safe space."
From Riot Squad to Rapid Response
Officer Ruch also noted a significant change in the bureau's terminology and structure. "We don’t have a riot squad anymore. That’s an antiquated model," she wrote. Instead, the PPB now utilizes a "rapid response team" trained for various hazardous situations, including civil disturbances, with a directive to address specific issues quickly and then withdraw.
This approach represents a strategic shift away from older models of crowd control, aiming to reduce the perception of a confrontational police presence at protests and public assemblies. The DLOs are central to this strategy, focusing on communication to prevent situations from escalating.
Investigation Moves Forward
While the DLO's initial interaction did not result in an arrest, the investigation into the alleged assault is now active and ongoing. The involvement of the Major Crimes Unit indicates that the bureau is treating the underlying allegation seriously.
The PPB has not released specific details about the nature of the assault itself or the condition of the victim. The focus of their public communication has been on identifying and locating the female suspect who fled the scene.
Authorities are encouraging anyone with information about the suspect's identity or whereabouts to come forward. The incident underscores the complexities of modern policing, particularly in cities like Portland that have been at the center of national conversations about law enforcement tactics, de-escalation, and protest management.