Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell has been dedicated to public safety service since she began her career with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office in 1996. Throughout nearly 30 years of service, her commitment to learning every aspect of public safety has propelled her through the ranks of deputy, lieutenant, captain, chief deputy, and undersheriff. She is one of only two Sheriffs to have held dual certification in both police and corrections while serving in office. As Multnomah County’s 41st Sheriff, Nicole is the first woman to hold the agency’s highest rank.
Community engagement has been, and will continue to be, a cornerstone of her approach to law enforcement. Nicole has guided the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office in developing strategies to better understand and respond to the unique public safety needs of our community. She is deeply committed to building public trust through open communication, collaborative partnerships, transparent decision-making, and ensuring professional, equitable service for all communities across Multnomah County.
Nicole’s dedication to community safety is deeply personal. As a child, her father survived a shooting during an armed robbery, an experience that shaped her understanding of trauma and the lasting impact of violent crime. Her family’s experience as victims of gun violence reinforced the importance of centering victims’ voices and upholding accountability within the criminal justice system.
Sheriff Morrisey O’Donnell’s priorities include:
- Reducing crime and improving community safety by strengthening investigative and enforcement practices, promoting accountability, and addressing unsafe and unlawful behaviors in our neighborhoods and on our streets.
- Investing in alternative service models and supports that address the underlying causes of justice involvement through partnerships focused on mental health, addiction, and homelessness, creating pathways to treatment and stability.
- Advancing transparency, accountability, and data-informed decision-making to ensure the Sheriff’s Office remains responsive, effective, and aligned with community expectations.
- Strengthening recruitment and retention strategies to support long-term agency growth and workforce stability, while meaningfully improving the health and well-being of our employees.
Nicole is a life-long Oregonian and a graduate of the University of Portland with a degree in Criminal Justice. She holds executive-level certification from the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training and serves as a Board Member of Trauma Intervention Program NW (TIPNW), Camp Rosenbaum, and the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). Outside of work, she enjoys running, golf, and spending time with family. Nicole lives in Portland with her husband, Bob.