Portland authorities are requesting community assistance in locating a woman accused of assault after she evaded a specialized police officer.
Police are searching for a suspect who fled from a "dialogue liaison officer" near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday evening. Fox News reported that the incident occurred during a gathering outside the federal facility in the South Portland neighborhood.
The suspect is described as a White female with a large septum nose piercing who was wearing a black mask and carrying a backpack. Portland Police Bureau officials said the woman refused to cooperate with the officer's detention order before fleeing the scene.
Initial Incident And Officer Response
Just before 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, a dialogue liaison officer was monitoring a gathering outside the ICE building when someone flagged him down. The person reported that an assault had just taken place in the immediate area.
The DLO attempted to pursue the suspected female perpetrator to hear her account of the incident. According to the police news release, the officer followed the woman while trying to engage her in conversation about the alleged assault.
The woman refused to stop and speak with the officer despite his attempts at dialogue. Her continued movement away from the scene prompted the officer to escalate his response and formally detain her.
Suspect's Flight And Police Pursuit
The dialogue liaison officer informed the woman that she was being detained as part of the investigation. The suspect allegedly refused to comply with the lawful police order and continued to flee from the officer.
Unable to apprehend the suspect alone, the DLO called for additional police resources to assist in the search. Patrol officers arrived at the scene just before 9 p.m. to meet with the alleged victim and begin a formal investigation.
The woman successfully evaded capture despite the officer's pursuit efforts and the arrival of backup personnel. Her escape has necessitated a public appeal for information regarding her whereabouts and identity.
Dialogue Liaison Officer Role And Limitations
Dialogue liaison officers are sworn police officers who serve in a specialized capacity during protests and gatherings. According to the release, these officers act as liaisons but "cannot get involved in enforcement action" during their assignments.
DLOs were implemented following the violent 2020 protests in Portland to "build relationships with protesters" according to the city's website. The officers are positioned at demonstrations to assess what groups need to "create or hold a safe space" during their activities.
Officer Jessica Ruch, featured as an exemplary DLO on the city website, described her role as getting an idea of group needs rather than enforcement. She wrote in May 2025 that the liaison approach represents a departure from traditional riot squad models.
Investigation Status And Next Steps
The assault case has been assigned to a detective in the Major Crimes Unit for further investigation. Police officials have not released specific details about the nature of the alleged assault that prompted the initial report.
Portland Police Bureau members will continue conducting follow-up investigations into the criminal activity at the scene. Officials stated they will forward cases to the Multnomah County District Attorney for prosecution when feasible.
The department noted that arrests are sometimes delayed when tensions are high at protest scenes, with apprehensions occurring at later dates. This approach reflects the department's strategy of avoiding escalation during volatile situations involving large gatherings.
