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We found that the Portland Fire Bureau has not invested the time, attention, and resources needed for a coherent employee accountability system. We make recommendations for training and complaint, investigation, and discipline processes to help ensure that the Bureau achieves its diversity goals.
Report
The City Auditor’s Independent Police Review (IPR) found that the Portland Police Bureau’s Special Victims Unit benefits from co-location and collaboration with service partners but officers responding to the initial calls need more trauma-informed training.
Report
Our annual report for 2021 describes changes in workload, regaining compliance with the Department of Justice, and summarizes a policy review of how language services are used by the Police Bureau.
Report
View Independent Police Review's 1st quarterly report of 2022.
Updated Report
The 2020 murder of George Floyd sparked more than 100 nights of protest in Portland. Complaints of officer misconduct at these events exposed inadequacies with the City’s ability to hold officers accountable. We recommend operational and policy improvements to strengthen the accountability system.
Report
Keeping information about political activity and using surveillance technology without safeguards infringes on First Amendment rights. Police need direction about what to collect and a process to manage records when there is no criminal activity. The Bureau also needs improved technology policies.
Report
Voters approved a tax to create the Portland Clean Energy Fund in 2018 as an ambitious way to tackle climate change and social inequities. This audit found that the program began putting management systems in place but other elements were not yet implemented or needed direction from City Council.
Report
The Auditor’s Office conducts independent assessments of Portland government, impartial investigations of community members’ complaints, and provides a variety of services that make the City more accessible. This report highlights the breadth and depth our work in 2021.
Report
The Auditor’s Office found evidence of wasted resources when investigating a tip about a firefighter washing a personal vehicle on City property. We referred findings and recommendations to the Fire Bureau.
Report
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City is required to provide equal access to all services, including emergency services. We found that the City was not prepared to meet the needs of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic much less a more physically destructive emergency.
Report
Data backup Portlanders’ objections to unfair treatment by the City’s property maintenance enforcement system. The City should act with urgency to break with the system’s racist past and engage community members it disproportionately burdens for their ideas to fix it.
Report
Wastewater goes through pipes owned by the Bureau of Environmental Services but the bureau pays another - the Bureau of Transportation - to maintain these pipes. This longstanding agreement has had mixed results. We make recommendations for both bureaus in our audit report.
Report
This annual report highlights unique occurrences, challenges, and lessons learned from 2020.
Report
Prosper Portland’s Small Business Relief Fund provided a lifeline during the early days of the pandemic. Staff successfully delivered dollars to struggling businesses but in haste, short-changed program integrity. We make recommendations for building a stronger program the next time disaster strikes
Report
New risks for City-issued credit card misuse emerged when employees began working from home due to COVID-19. We asked: How did compliance with rules, management, and card spending change? We found some issues the City should shore up to prevent misuse.
Report
Getting a building permit in Portland can be a frustratingly slow process. Delays can affect the economy and motivate property owners to skirt the permitting system altogether. Our audit recommends ways to address persistent problems as the City strives for economic recovery from COVID-19.
Report
Independent Police Review took a closer look at interactions between police officers and community members who may need language services and recommended changes to the Portland Police Bureau to strengthen effective communication.
Report
The Auditor’s Office is Portlanders’ independent agency responsible for providing oversight of City government. This Accountability Report, covering the year 2020, shows the breadth, depth and impact of our work.
Report
Along with context and evidence, we make 16 recommendations in our audit report for improving the City’s contracting equity strategies. These include suggestions for better program design as well as measures to improve oversight, transparency, and accountability.
Report
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