Portland police seek public’s help after ‘safe space’ officer loses track of assault suspect near ICE facility

Authorities are requesting assistance from the public in locating a woman accused of assault near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, Oregon. The incident occurred after a “dialogue liaison officer” (DLO)—an officer designated to maintain a safe environment for protesters—lost track of her.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, the DLO was monitoring a gathering outside the ICE building around 8:45 p.m. Tuesday when he was approached by someone reporting a recent assault.

The officer attempted to engage the woman, described as a White female with a prominent septum piercing, wearing a black mask and carrying a backpack, wanting to discuss the incident, as detailed in a news release from the police department.

However, when the woman did not comply, the officer informed her that she was being detained.

She allegedly disregarded the lawful request and fled the scene.

The DLO subsequently called for additional police support, and patrol officers arrived shortly before 9 p.m. to meet with the victim and initiate an investigation.

While DLOs are sworn officers, they primarily function as liaisons and, per the news release, are not designed to partake in enforcement actions.

This case has been assigned to a detective within the Major Crimes Unit, though specifics regarding the alleged assault have not been disclosed by officials.

“Members of the PPB are ongoing with follow-up investigations into criminal incidents and will refer cases to the Multnomah County District Attorney for prosecution when appropriate,” as stated in the release. “In situations with heightened tensions, arrests may not occur on the spot and can take place afterwards.”

The city’s website highlights that DLOs were established to help cultivate better relationships with protesters following the tumultuous events of 2020 in Portland.

Officer Jessica Ruch, a notable DLO mentioned on the site, expressed in May 2025 that liaison officers are positioned at demonstrations to ascertain the needs necessary to facilitate a secure atmosphere for participants.

Ruch mentioned on the site that she has a personal history with protests, describing them as “a celebration of community and values.”

“Our department no longer employs a riot squad; that’s an outdated approach. The terminology implies that all demonstrators share a single perspective,” Ruch noted. “We do have a rapid response team prepared to deal with potentially dangerous situations like civil unrest or natural disasters. They intervene when necessary and then leave, as we aim not to appear as the adversaries.”

Reflecting on her experiences, Ruch also shared concerns regarding the risk of vehicles being used to intentionally target protesters.

Fox News Digital did not receive an immediate response from the Portland Police Bureau regarding this matter.