Portland Mayor Demotes Police Chief After Scandal

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland’s mayor demoted the city police chief to captain Friday following an investigation into a scandal that included sexually explicit e-mails and allegations of abuse of power.

Mayor Tom Potter said the investigation found that most allegations of misconduct by Derrick Foxworth were unsubstantiated.

But he said that Foxworth had used poor judgment in sharing department information with Angela Oswalt, a desk clerk with whom Foxworth acknowledged having a “brief but intense” affair while they worked together, but before he was promoted to chief in 2003.

“Men and women of the Portland Police Bureau and members of the public look to their chief to set the tone for acceptable conduct,” said Potter, a former Portland police chief.

Foxworth has been on paid administrative leave since April 11. He has been on the force 22 years.

Potter said Foxworth would return to duty July 1 as a captain and be given his new assignment by interim chief Rosie Sizer.

Foxworth insisted through his attorney that his relationship with Oswalt didn’t violate city policies because it was consensual, conducted off-duty and didn’t interfere with police operations.

The investigation found no evidence to support allegations that Foxworth created a hostile work environment, drank on duty and improperly used city property. It also found no evidence that he threatened to fire Oswalt if she didn’t keep the affair quiet.