Interim Portland police chief Bob Day appointed permanent chief [Video]

PORTLAND, Ore. — Interim Portland police chief Bob Day has been appointed as the permanent chief of the Portland Police Bureau, effective immediately, Mayor Ted Wheeler announced Friday. Day was sworn in as interim chief in October, coming out of retirement to take over after previous chief Chuck Lovell announced he wanted to step down from the role. 

At the time, Wheeler said the plan was for Day to only serve about 18 months, until June of 2025. Wheeler isn’t seeking reelection, and he said he wanted to leave the choice of a permanent chief up to the next mayor. But in a news release Friday morning, Wheeler’s office said Day’s performance during his first six months prompted the mayor to change his mind.

“Chief Day has more than …