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Portland and the federal government

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Reports

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Portland Fire & Rescue does not have a coherent accountability system

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

Station 1 serves downtown Portland and houses the administrative offices

Domestic Violence Response: Special Victims Unit benefits from collaboration with partners, but patrol officers need more training

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

A photograph of a folded, violet ribbon symbolizing domestic violence awareness.

2021 Annual 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

A photograph of boarded-up windows painted with positive messaging on the Multnomah County Central Courthouse building in Portland, Oregon. April 2021.

Quarterly Report – Q1 2022

View Independent Police Review's 1st quarterly report of 2022.

Updated Report

The official seal of the City of Portland, Oregon appears next to the office's name: Independent Police Review.

Lessons Learned: City’s response to protests exposed vulnerabilities in Portland’s police accountability system

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

A photograph of three people looking protest murals and illustrations on a boarded up business in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Police Intelligence-Gathering and Surveillance: Better management needed to protect civil rights

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

Icons on a blue background representing different police surveillance methods and techniques.

Portland Clean Energy Fund: Additional steps needed to implement voter-approved program

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

A photograph of a professional woman wearing a hard hat and a safety vest holding a pen and a clipboard while surveying solar panels outside. The photo appears next to another photo of people wearing protective clothing surrounding a factory machine.

Auditor's 2021 Accountability 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

illustration of Portland skyline and text reads "Portland: Accountability Report 2021"

Quarterly Report – Q4 2021

View Independent Police Review's 4th quarterly report of 2021.

Report

The official seal of the City of Portland, Oregon appears next to the office's name: Independent Police Review.

Fraud Hotline Report: Firefighters used City water to wash personal trucks

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

White icon on maroon background. Hand calling on a cell phone. Fraud Hotline logo: To call it out, call it in.

Emergency Management: Pandemic highlights City’s long-standing neglect of people with disabilities

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

A South Asian person sits in her wheelchair and presses a button to lower the height-adjustable shelves in an accessible kitchen.

City’s reliance on complaints for property maintenance enforcement disproportionately affects diverse and gentrifying neighborhoods

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

Blue sky and clouds over houses and trees in a neighborhood in east Portland, Oregon.

Sewer Maintenance: Renewed attention to partnership needed to better serve ratepayers

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

A photograph of sewer construction on a residential street in Portland, Oregon.

2020 Annual Report

This annual report highlights unique occurrences, challenges, and lessons learned from 2020.

Report

A group of protesters in Portland, Oregon walking on Northeast Martin Luther King, Junior Boulevard near Northeast Graham Street.

Prosper Portland Emergency Grants: Standards needed to ensure program integrity

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

A photograph of an individual wearing a protective face mask and hanging an open sign on a business store window or door.

Audit: City credit card use slowed during pandemic but exposed underlying risks

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

Photograph of a person typing on a laptop with one hand and holding a credit card in the other hand.

Building Permit Review Audit

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

City storage room for paper plans behind the words, "Long-standing inability to meeting customers' needs won't improve without better management, sustained governance."

Portland Police needs to ensure language services are equitable and consistent

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

Photograph of the lights on top of a police car with text that says, "Portland Police needs to ensure language services are equitable and consistent. February 2021."

Auditor's 2020 Accountability 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

Aerial photograph of Portland, Oregon during the day. Photograph looks over the Willamette River, downtown Portland, the waterfront, and features the Fremont Bridge. Text appears over the image saying, "2020 Accountability Report."

Equity in Construction Contracting: Some goals achieved despite mismanagement, waste, and gamesmanship

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

Aerial view of construction workers at a construction site.
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