Portland Police Sergeant Arrested for Off-Duty Incident

Portland Police Badge

December 15, 2022 17:32

A Portland Police Sergeant has been arrested by the Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) related to an incident that occurred off duty.

On Tuesday, November 1, 2022, Portland Police Professional Standards Division was notified that WCSO was investigating a crime that occurred on October 29, 2022. They advised that the focus of the investigation was PPB Sergeant Darke Hull, who was off duty at the time of the incident. Sergeant Hull is 23-year veteran of PPB and is assigned to the Traffic Division. He was placed on administrative leave.

Today, December 15, 2022, WCSO advised that Sergeant Hull was criminally cited, charged with Sex Abuse in the Third Degree and Harassment.

"As law enforcement officers, we are held to a higher standard," said Chief Chuck Lovell. "In order to preserve the public trust, we are informing the community of this incident. Now we must allow time for a complete and thorough investigation to proceed."

Thorough investigations of allegations of criminal misconduct by Bureau members are essential to the maintenance of Bureau integrity, effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability. In addition to the criminal investigation, an Internal Affairs Division investigation has been opened into this matter. The internal investigations process is spelled out in the following policies:

0330.00 Internal Affairs, Complaint Intake, and Processing https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/759428

Directive 333.00 Criminal Investigations Of Police Bureau Employees https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/759434

0335.00 Discipline Process https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/article/759437

Criminal investigations of members are conducted concurrently with the administrative investigation involving the same event without undue delay and in a manner consistent with the highest standards of objectivity and professionalism. Bureau members subject to a criminal investigation will be afforded rights guaranteed under the United States and State of Oregon Constitutions throughout the investigation.

The Portland Police Bureau will not comment further on this personnel matter to ensure an objective internal investigation is conducted, and to protect public employees' privacy interests.

Inquiries for information about the criminal matter should be directed to WCSO.

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