Making History, the Portland Police Bureau Promotes Transgender Lieutenant Stephanie Lourenco to Rank of Captain

“Since it is Pride Week,” the chief says, “we wanted to highlight her accomplishments, but do not want to diminish the fact that this promotion is based solely on her skills and abilities."

Captain Stephanie Lourenco
By Elise Herron

Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw today announced the promotion of Lieutenant Stephanie Lourenco to the rank of acting captain of the bureau's traffic division.

Lourenco is the first transgender person in the Bureau's history to be promoted to Captain. Her promotion will be made official pending a retirement, during which time she will be serving as Acting Captain.

In a statement today, Outlaw said Lourenco was selected for the position because of her exemplary work and leadership skills.

"She has demonstrated professionalism, ability to get things done and understands the importance of community engagement at a time when it is so needed," Outlaw said.

Lourenco has been a member of the Portland police force since 1999. She was promoted to sergeant in 2005 and lieutenant in 2015. Two decades ago, she founded the Transgender Community of Police Officers/Sheriffs (TCOPS), which connects transgender police officers across the country.

"Since it is Pride Week, we wanted to highlight [Lourenco's] accomplishments," Outlaw said. "but do not want to diminish the fact that this promotion is based solely on her skills and abilities."

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