By Austin De Dios
oregonlive.com
PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek appointed Mike Reese, former Multnomah County sheriff and Portland Police Bureau chief, to direct the state’s Department of Corrections, according to a press release Tuesday.
Reese served as Portland’s police chief from 2010 to 2014, when he retired from the role as one of the longest-standing police chiefs in the city. Reese went on to become Multnomah County sheriff in 2016. His term concluded at the end of 2022.
Heidi Steward has been the acting director for the corrections department since 2022, after former prison director Colette Peters was appointed to head the federal Bureau of Prisons. Kotek said in a statement that Reese’s law enforcement experience will serve him well in the new role.
“He has an unparalleled record within the public safety sector for being a collaborator and a problem solver, guided by justice, equity, and a commitment to uphold the public’s trust,” Kotek said in the statement.
Reese’s career in law enforcement began in 1989 as a deputy for the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, according to the statement. He joined the Portland Police Bureau in 1994, and served there until he retired as police chief. He didn’t stay retired, however, winning office as sheriff soon after.
Reese said he will make a commitment to rehabilitating the state’s inmates. He will start Nov. 13 with a salary of $241,224 per year, according to Department of Corrections spokesperson Amber Campbell.
“Our ability to adequately rehabilitate adults in custody and recruit, train and retain a skilled workforce driven by accountability, integrity and professionalism has a direct impact on Oregon communities and I am resolved to ensure these standards are met,” Reese said in a statement.”
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