Two experienced Portland Police Bureau officers recently resigned after being involved in serious misconduct cases that shocked both their department and the community.
One officer admitted to using cocaine for several months, while another deleted nearly 3,000 important personnel files from the police server. These incidents raise big concerns about discipline, trust, and leadership inside the police force.
The Cocaine Case: Officer Mark Ellison
Officer Mark Ellison, an 11-year veteran of the bureau, said he found a sandwich bag of cocaine in a Southeast Portland bar bathroom. Instead of turning it in, he began using the drug “off and on” for months.
When the Police Bureau’s Internal Affairs investigated, Ellison admitted to using cocaine and said he was struggling with heavy debt and about to lose his home. He also said he used the drug to feel more confident and social.
Ellison stated, “I admit I have a problem. I’m sorry.”
His misconduct wasn’t his first. In 2018, he was disciplined twice — once for allowing a nearly naked woman to take a picture on the hood of his patrol car and once for interfering in a missing-persons case involving a family member. His salary in 2024 was reported at $104,601.
After admitting his cocaine use, the Police Review Board voted to terminate him. Chief Bob Day officially fired him in August 2024.
The File Deletion Case: Officer Michele Vergara
Officer Michele Vergara, who served for 14 years, was also facing disciplinary action. Her 2022 salary was about $78,741. When her supervisors decided to transfer her from administrative duties to patrol, she reacted angrily.
According to reports, Vergara called the decision “ridiculous” and “stupid” and insulted her superior officer by calling him a “snake.” Soon after, she went to her cubicle and deleted about 2,900 files from a police server.
These files contained important information related to hiring and retention.
A police sergeant had to escort her out of the building. Investigators later found that her actions could have caused a work stoppage if the files hadn’t been recovered by an IT specialist.
Vergara said she didn’t mean to harm anyone and believed she was deleting her personal work files.
However, the Police Review Board and internal investigators agreed that her actions could have caused serious damage to the entire department. She resigned in July 2024 before the board officially moved to fire her.
Summary of the Two Officers
| Officer Name | Years of Service | Type of Misconduct | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Ellison | 11 years | Cocaine use | Fired (August 2024) |
| Michele Vergara | 14 years | Deleted about 2,900 files | Resigned (July 2024) |
Impact on the Portland Police Bureau
Even though these are only two officers out of more than 800, the incidents still hurt the bureau’s reputation. The department has been struggling with low staffing after years of retirements and resignations.
Since becoming chief in 2023, Bob Day has been trying to rebuild the force and has asked the city for more funding. His goal is to increase the number of officers to 1,000. In September 2024, the bureau hired 22 new recruits, the largest class in years.
Still, the loss of two experienced officers under disciplinary cases slows down progress and raises questions about how such behavior was allowed to happen.
Public Trust and Police Integrity
The public expects police officers to uphold the law and serve as examples of honesty and discipline. When officers use drugs or destroy files, it weakens public confidence.
These cases highlight the need for:
- Stronger supervision and mental health support for officers.
- Transparent investigations and accountability.
- Better policies for handling resignations under investigation.
When misconduct happens, the bureau still sends reports to the state police certification agency, even if an officer resigns, to ensure accountability.
The resignations of Officers Mark Ellison and Michele Vergara reveal how one bad decision can end a long career in law enforcement. Ellison’s drug use and Vergara’s file deletion not only damaged their reputations but also hurt the department’s credibility.
For Portland’s police, these incidents serve as a strong reminder that ethics, transparency, and discipline are just as important as law enforcement skills. Rebuilding public trust will take consistent effort and honest leadership in the years ahead.