How a city works...

[Lamplighter]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

I hope Dwellars know that I am quite proud of Portland and Oregon.

BUT... in the 35+ years we have lived here, the big black spot is the Portland Police Dept.
Other cities (Denver, LA, New Orleans) have had their problems.
But PDX has a Police Union that is powerful and political.
<snip>

Portland citizens have been asking for this for longer than I can remember
... police accountability to the communuity

Portland Tribune
December 18. 2012

City, feds file agreement on police use-of-force issues

Portland city officials and the U.S. Department of Justice filed a proposed settlement
in federal court Monday that will change the way the Portland Police Bureau
handles cases involving people with mental illnesses.

The settlement addresses allegations listed in a civil action, also filed Monday by federal prosecutors,
that claims police have violated the constitutional rights of some people through the excessive use of force.
The civil case alleges that the police bureau “engages in a pattern or practice of
using excessive force on individuals with actual or perceived mental illness...<snip>

Once approved by a federal judge, the agreement will require changes in the police bureau’s policy,
training, supervisory oversight, community-based mental health services,
crisis intervention, employee information systems, officer
accountability and community engagement and oversight.

The agreement also calls for an independent compliance officer and community liaison,
responsible for maintaining data about the bureau’s use of force and reporting
his or her findings to the City Council, the federal justice department and the public.<snip>