Dialogue Liaison Officers: Building bridges in the heart of Portland.

Meet Officer Ruch and Sergeant Ismail — Dialogue Liaison Officers (DLOs) with the Portland Police Bureau. In addition to their regular patrol duties, they take on the unique role of connecting with community members during events and demonstrations. Their goal is simple: communication, understanding, and safety for everyone. DLOs wear white shirts so they’re easily identifiable — they’re full sworn police officers, but their focus is on dialogue, not enforcement. Whether it’s helping resolve tensions before they escalate or just listening to people’s concerns, DLOs work to build trust and ensure everyone’s First Amendment rights are protected. As Officer Ruch says, “You might see us at a protest today, and a year from now responding to a robbery. Our job is to help everyone — no matter what.”