Bob Cozzie, who boasts over three decades in public safety, has been named the interim deputy city administrator for public safety in Portland. The announcement, made by City Administrator Michael Jordan, positions Cozzie to oversee a wide array of essential services ranging from police and fire departments to emergency management and Portland Street Response.
Starting June 16, Cozzie will be at the helm, detailed in an article from the City of Portland's official news release. Amidst his ascent to the role, the city commends his breadth of experience — spanning from El Paso County Sheriff's Office positions to directing Clackamas County 9-1-1 — making him a seasoned veteran in coordinating the gears of emergency operations. With Portland looking towards this transition, Cozzie's prior role as a training manager at the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications is an asset hardly incidental.
According to the City of Portland, "Director Cozzie’s track record as an effective leader, many years of experience, and familiarity with Portland’s public safety bureaus make him the ideal choice during this time of transition," are the words that City Administrator Jordan prescribes to the occasion.
The city has not wasted any time in ensuring a seamless transition as outgoing Deputy City Administrator for Public Safety, Mike Myers, will be vacating his position on June 30. Before year’s end, Portland plans to fill the permanent position; however, Steve Mawdsley, latching onto the interim director role at the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications, has his task cut out. Mawdsley is stepping up to direct the bureau where Cozzie was director since 2018.
