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Portland Police Assistant Chief of Services Mike Kuykendall resigned today for sending inappropriate texts to a subordinate.
Kuykendall is a civilian member of the force. A former deputy district attorney, Reese hired him in 2010 to serve as the department's head of finances. The two play in a band, The Usual Suspects, together.
Here's the full statement from Police Chief Mike Reese:
Director of Services (DOS) Mike Kuykendall informed me that he will resign from the Portland Police Bureau following a brief transition period. I accepted his decision to resign because I believe the Police Bureau needs to continuously work to meet the goal of achieving the highest possible level of community trust. This standard must guide our behavior and decision making processes. DOS Kuykendall sent unprofessional text messages regarding another Bureau member from his personal phone to a subordinate's personal phone.
DOS Kuykendall wants the Bureau and the public to know that: "I deeply regret my actions. I was attempting to use humor to give confidential support to a Bureau member who had come to me with a work-related issue."
DOS Kuykendall will help with the transition for the next incoming Assistant Chief of Services. Once that transition is complete, DOS Kuykendall's resignation will be effective that date.
WWeek 2015