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Doug Brown

The director of Multnomah County Department of Community Justice (DCJ), Truls Neal, has announced his retirement. Neal was only appointed to the position four months ago, shortly after longtime director Scott Taylor abruptly stepped down. Neal says he had intended on retiring earlier, but Taylor had convinced him into "staying a little longer,"

Neal was dropped into the director's seat during a particularly challenging time at the DCJ: Months after a teenage boy had threatened to "shoot up" the administrative building and amid chronic complaints of blatant racism existing within the department. Since his appointment, Neal says he's signed a new policy regarding workplace threats. But the longer-term issues embedded in DCJ's culture—specifically those surrounding racism and intolerance—will surely be carried on to Neal's successor.

Neal will be temporarily replaced by DCJ Deputy Director Erika Preuitt, a former parole officer who also serves as the president of the American Probation and Parole Association. Neal's last day will be Sept. 28.