Police commission re-elects leadership, unanimously adopts edged-weapons policy

The Eugene Police Commission unanimously re-elected its chair and vice chair for one-year terms beginning July 1 and approved several routine items, including adoption of Policy 813 (edged-weapons), which clarifies allowable carry and limits carried blade length to six inches when carried on an officer’s person.

At the meeting the commission first approved the agenda and then voted to approve the May 14, 2026 minutes; the chair counted two abstentions on the minutes approval. Nominations followed for leadership: Vice Chair Bradley was nominated and seconded and re-elected by unanimous voice/hand vote; the sitting chair likewise was nominated and re-elected.

Policy 813 discussion: Sergeant Jordan and Lieutenant Griffith presented minor language cleanups to Policy 813 and described the policy as narrowly tailored to knives used for utilitarian purposes. Commissioners asked whether larger tools such as axes or machetes could be carried for rural responses; staff said the policy limits carried blades on the person to six inches and that larger tools could be carried in vehicles for utility use but would not be worn on an officer’s hip as a long blade. Lieutenant Griffith said folding knives are the common form officers carry and that inappropriate use of knives by officers is not a known problem in living memory.

The commission moved and seconded adoption of Policy 813; the chair called the vote and the policy was approved unanimously.

Votes at a glance: - Agenda adoption — approved (unanimous) - May 14, 2026 minutes — approved (two abstentions; chair counted votes) - Vice Chair election (Bradley) — approved (unanimous) - Chair election (incumbent) — approved (unanimous) - Policy 813 (edged-weapons) adoption — approved (unanimous)

What happens next: Policy 813 will be implemented by the department; commissioners and staff indicated they will circulate the revised policy language and update training materials as needed.