Developer Robert Ball Promoted to PPB Reserve Commander

One of Portland’s leading real estate developers, and the CEO of Astor Pacific, is still managing to climb up the civic ladder. Robert Ball was recently promoted from Reserve Captain in the Portland Police Bureau to Reserve Commander, the highest rank a reserve officer can achieve. Ball was promoted during a ceremony last night at the Portland Building.

Ball, who has previously been awarded the Police Medal and was one of the founding donors for Q Center, has volunteered with PPB for the past 16 years.

“It means a great deal to me that Chief [Mike] Reese and the rest of the bureau’s management have confidence in me and my abilities,” says Ball. “I am deeply grateful.”

Among Ball’s accomplishments within the bureau over the past year was his leadership of a workgroup to spearhead an effort to change state law so that “reserve officer” would be included in the definition of a “peace officer.” After establishing a statewide coalition to support the change, HB 3153 passed unanimously through the Legislature and was signed into law by Governor John Kitzhaber in July. Because of this change, 1,300 reserve officers statewide now have the same protections under law as full-time officers.

Ball says he is looking forward to growing the bureau’s newly established Portland Police Reserve Officer’s Foundation—a nonprofit that raises money to support reserve officers by reimbursing them for uniforms, equipment, training, recognition and awards, and other costs associated with providing free police services to the City of Portland.

Ball also hopes that his continued leadership will help pave a way for other LGBTQ citizens to feel welcomed by the law enforcement community.

“I hope the entire LGBTQ community knows the police bureau is a welcoming and accepting place for our community,” says Ball. “I [also] hope that other gay and lesbian community members consider a career in law enforcement with the bureau.”

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