Assistant Police Chief Jeffrey Mori has been selected as the Vancouver Police Department’s next leader, the city announced Wednesday.
“I look forward to leading the Vancouver Police Department in our continued efforts to expand community partnerships and relationships, grow the agency and increase transparency and trust,” the future chief said in a city-issued press release.
Police Chief James McElvain’s successor has 29 years of law enforcement experience and has spent the last three years of his career as an assistant police chief for Vancouver. Mori was the undersheriff in Washington County, Ore., for nine years prior to joining the Vancouver Police Department.
In the release, City Manager Eric Holmes and Vancouver NAACP President Jasmine Tolbert said Mori has a record of forming meaningful bonds within Vancouver, notably as it relates to navigating systematic issues and preserving community safety.
“Jeff has a healthy commitment to racial equity, and we hope to continue to partner with him on that journey,” Tolbert said. “Ultimately the NAACP of Vancouver is here to hold the Vancouver Police Department accountable, but we are excited to work with Jeff.”
Mori will officially step into the role at 5 p.m. June 30, following McElvain’s retirement. Details for a swearing-in ceremony are to be determined.
He was one of the five finalists vying for chief of police and will receive a starting salary of $213,384. Three candidates were internal, one was from Waterloo, Iowa, and one was from Los Angeles.
In a public forum held in early May, Mori supported restorative justice programs as a solution to property crime rather than implementing more aggressive policing. By advocating for these programs, there is a greater hope of breaking the pattern of those who reoffend, he said.
Mori, along with the other finalists, also proposed having officers spend more time serving the community outside of their regular shifts.
