From Then to Now: Women in the Portland Police Bureau

For more than a century, women have played a role in shaping the Portland Police Bureau, from pioneers like Lola Baldwin, to leaders like Penny Harrington, to those continuing the work today. This video brings together the voices of women across the bureau sharing why they chose this path, what the work looks like, and what it means to serve their community. Their experiences reflect both progress and ongoing growth while highlighting something simple: Representation matters. For anyone considering a career in policing, this is an opportunity to hear directly from the people doing the work in their own words. If you are looking for a career centered on service, impact, and community, there is a place for you here. Learn more about careers with the Portland Police Bureau: JoinPortlandPolice.com (For blind or low-vision viewers, after the video opens, activate Settings, select Audio track, then choose ‘English Descriptive.’) Visual Description (for accessibility): The video combines historical photographs, contemporary interviews, and documentary footage of women serving in different roles within the Portland Police Bureau. Archival images highlight early women in the bureau, beginning with Lola Baldwin, the first sworn female officer in Portland. These photographs show her in professional portraits and at her desk during the early 1900s, along with group images of women serving in the Women’s Protective Division. Additional historical materials document early female officers in training and service, including class photographs and early range training exercises, illustrating the evolving role of women in law enforcement during the early 20th century. Images of Penny Harrington, the bureau’s first female police chief, show her in professional settings during the 1980s, including portraits in her office and official imagery marking her appointment as chief. Newspaper clippings from the period document her historic appointment as the first woman to lead a major city police department in the United States. Photographs of Carmen Sylvester, the bureau’s first Black female officer, include images from the 1970s showing her in both civilian clothing and uniform, as well as academy class photographs and community moments captured during her early career. These historical visuals are interwoven with present-day interviews featuring three women currently serving in the bureau:, Advocate Myrna Aracely Ortiz, and Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan. Officer Saunders is shown working in community outreach and food distribution efforts with the Sunshine Division. Myrna Aracely Ortiz is featured in a community setting engaging directly with individuals receiving victim services support. Assistant Chief McMillan is shown in office environments and leadership settings within the bureau. Together, the archival and contemporary visuals trace the progression of women’s roles in the bureau, connecting early pioneers with the experiences of women serving today.