Authorize acquisition of shields for research and development by the Special Resources Division
The City of Portland ordains:
Section 1. The Council finds:
- As stipulated in Resolution 37520, adopted on December 9, 2020, a procedure was established for the acquisition and procurement of specific military-style equipment by the Portland Police Bureau. This resolution mandates the Specialized Resources Division (SRD) to obtain prior authorization from the City Council for any purchase of equipment detailed in Exhibit B of said Resolution.
- Shields are classified as specific military-style equipment. As such, they fall within the categories that require explicit City Council approval for purchase. It is pivotal to note that the intended use for these shields is strictly for research and development purposes and they are not meant for field deployment.
- The SRD is considering the acquisition of three distinct shield types solely for the purpose of research and development of public order tactics within the Police Bureau.
- Shields have long been a foundational component of public order practices in Europe and are gradually being recognized as an emerging best practice within U.S. public order operations. The National Tactical Officer's Association has notably incorporated shields into their Public Order Team Standards.
- External recommendations have underscored the benefits and relevance of shield procurement. Such endorsements stem from esteemed bodies like the Independent Monitor, LLC (particularly recommendations 2, 5, and 7) and the National Tactical Officers Association Public Order Standards (sections 3 and 9). Their recommendations underpin the advocacy for shield adoption as an effective public order measure.
- The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has set forth an initiative to procure a set of 12 shields across the three proposed configurations. This endeavor is aimed at facilitating a comprehensive assessment to determine which configuration aligns optimally with the Bureau's public order challenges.
- The necessary funds for this proposed equipment acquisition are confirmed to be available within the current appropriations of the PPB.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- The Chief of Police is authorized to procure the equipment necessary for PPB’s use in accordance with City Procurement Code 5.33.060.
- The Mayor and City Auditor are hereby authorized to pay for the purchase of the shields from the Police FY 2023-24 budget.
Official Record (Efiles)
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
The events and protests of 2020 in Portland were a watershed moment for our community and our policing practices. Reflecting upon those times, the Portland Police Bureau is committed not only to introspective improvement but also to acting upon the feedback and recommendations received from our community, outside consultants, and the Department of Justice. Part of our action plan, influenced by this collaborative feedback, involves refining our crowd control methods to ensure they are in line with the nation's evolving best practices in public order policing.
In pursuit of this objective, the Bureau's Special Resource Division (SRD) has embarked on a comprehensive research and development initiative to explore various shield types and configurations. This endeavor is directly informed by the lessons and recommendations stemming from the 2020 protests.
Shields, inherently defensive in nature, serve a critical role in the domain of crowd management and public order policing. Their primary function is to safeguard our officers and the public, facilitating effective and controlled management of large assemblies, while minimizing any potential harm.
To assess the efficacy and suitability of different shield tactics within Portland's unique public order landscape, it is imperative for the SRD to have hands-on access to these tools. Direct interaction with a variety of shields will empower SRD to formulate well-informed recommendations to the Police Bureau's leadership. Additionally, this hands-on evaluation complements the insights gathered from other agencies' experiences with shield deployment.
It's crucial to emphasize that the Bureau's decision to procure a limited number of shields is strictly for the purposes of this research and development initiative. These shields will not be distributed to officers for operational use. The financial expenditure for these shields will remain within the defined limits of the Bureau Director’s procurement authority as stated in City Code 5.33.060.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
There are sufficient funds for this purchase within the bureau’s current appropriations for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
In alignment with the recent evaluation by Independent Monitor, LLC, specifically referencing recommendations 2, 5, and 7, as well as the stipulations outlined in sections 3 and 9 of the National Tactical Officers Association Public Order Standards, we are taking measured steps to further our understanding of effective crowd management tools.
The contemplated shields will play a pivotal role in a research and development initiative, aiming to discern their efficacy as a public order tactic within Portland's unique landscape. Should the application of these shields prove effective, it is anticipated that they would offer our incident commanders enhanced versatility during deployments. This could lead to diminished unfavorable crowd interactions, a reduction in both officer and community member injuries, and decreased instances of police use of force. More importantly, by adopting tactics that prioritize safety and communication, we hope to fortify the trust our community places in our public order officers, further cementing our commitment to mutual respect and understanding.
100% Renewable Goal
Not applicable.
Financial and Budget Analysis
The bureau has sufficient funds in the current year budget, these costs have been approved using asset forfeiture funds.