Volunteer (Non-Paid) Position - Police Equity Advisory Council

APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/01a13c3cdf4275cdba16c1422f6aede4

The Police Equity Advisory Council exists to provide community input on both the special projects worked on by the Equity and Inclusion Office as well as advising on EIO’s progress on the Racial Equity Plan more generally. Its members are expected to give advice around how EIO can best advocate for vulnerable communities including but not limited to; culturally diverse populations , people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals experiencing houselessness. This body will be reviewed for effectiveness and potentially renewed every two (2) years.

Committee activities include:

• Advise Equity and Inclusion Office
• Assist with development of special projects related to the Racial Equity Plan
• Provide input to staff about needs of marginalized communities
• Provide feedback on the prioritization of work in future phases

Total number of advisory seats: 15

Number of seats available: 15

To be eligible for the advisory committee, members must live, play, worship, go to school, work or do business in the City of Portland.

 

What We Look For
We want people from every part of Portland here to share their voice on this committee, especially people who have not been involved before. If you want to serve your community and to help government make better choices, then we want to see your application. The attributes listed below are what will guide our selection process. It is helpful if you are specific in your answers. We do not expect you to be or have everything listed. 

• You believe government is better when community is involved
• You are an advocate for racial equity: you want positive and long-lasting outcomes for racial and ethnic communities who have been left out before. You can bring discussion about racial and ethnic communities who need it the most.
• You have a perspective on navigating the community as a person with a disability.
• You are available to attend all meetings and participate in the discussions.
• You want to help the Portland Police Bureau’s Equity and Inclusion Office better serve the diverse community of Portland.
• You are willing to learn about the Bureau’s Racial Equity Plan and help create accountability around the plan. 

Time Commitment

• Monthly meetings will take place on weekday evenings via Zoom
• Members are involved for a duration of a one to two year term, or no more than 8 consecutive years.
• The anticipated time commitment per month is 3 hours (2 hours monthly meeting, 1 hour content review), plus one 3-6 hour retreat annually. 
• We provide interpreters who will translate the conversation in your language during the meeting. Please ask for an interpreter at least a week in advance of the meeting so we have enough time to make arrangements.
• You may need to read and write in your language. Verbal and written translations are performed by outside organizations. The dialects may be different than your home region and may be different on each document. 
• We try to translate the written materials you ask for, but we may not be able to provide translation on all meeting documents. 
• Members are expected to prepare for meetings on their own time. Meeting materials for review may be sent with minimal time to review, possibly as few as forty-eight hours (or two days) in advance.

We Remove Barriers
Let us know if there are barriers to your participation. The Equity Office will seek to remedy any factors that make participation more difficult for its membership.

Volunteer Ethics
People who join this committee will become what we call “Public Officials,” which means that while you serve you must behave fair and ethically. We will provide training on this once you are accepted. Part of following Public Officials Ethics laws means you must tell the group when you or a relative may financially benefit (or avoid fees) by your recommendations. This is called a “Conflict of Interest.” If you tell us about potential Conflicts of Interest that does not mean you cannot serve, in fact, many committees have potential members with Conflicts of Interest. We appreciate your ethical inclusion of possible Conflicts of Interest on the form included in the application.

APPLY HERE: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/01a13c3cdf4275cdba16c1422f6aede4

Applications are due by 11:59pm on Sunday, December 6, 2026.

Applications will be reviewed beginning 12/7/2026. Interviews will take place beginning 12/14/2026

To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact the advisory body staff liaison at [email protected] or 503-956-0370.

Voluntary & Confidential Demographic Information
The City is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Completing the demographic information on the application is voluntary, but we encourage you to provide that information. The City uses this information to help ensure that advisory body appointments represent a broad cross-section of community. Your information will not be used during the recruitment nor the selection process. State and federal law prohibit use of this information to discriminate against you. Questions about this may be sent to [email protected]

General Questions
For general questions about the Advisory Bodies program, the volunteer recruitment process, or other upcoming advisory body opportunities please email [email protected]. 

We Encourage You to Apply
We welcome you to browse our website to learn more about the bureau: https://www.portland.gov/police/police-equity-advisory-council

Do you have questions or need more information? Email [email protected] or call 503-956-0370.