Establish a commission to write rules, definitions, procedures, and other necessary details for recommendation to Council for the new police oversight system authorized by voters on the November 3, 2020 general election
WHEREAS, on July 30th, 2020 the Portland City Council voted to refer a Charter Amendment to the voters of Portland that would authorize the creation of a new police oversight system; and
WHEREAS, on November 3rd, 2020 Portland voters approved the new Charter Amendment supporting the measure by 81.58%; and
WHEREAS, the Charter language provides a framework for what is required of any police oversight system; and
WHEREAS, Council is interested in a community-driven process for recommendations to City Council for the rules, definitions, procedures, and other necessary details for the new police oversight system; and
WHEREAS, a process is needed to make code recommendations to City Council that would provide the remaining details of the new oversight system; and
WHEREAS, it is of critical importance that there be a lengthy, involved process where consideration is given to the complex topic of police accountability; and
WHERAS, on December 16th, 2020 Portland City Council authorized an application process for the ReThink Police Oversight Commission; and
WHEREAS, the application went live on Thursday February 11th, 2021 and ran until March 15th, 2021 generating over 100 completed applications.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City Council authorizes the creation of the Commission for the Community Police Oversight Board; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Commission will be tasked with writing out procedures, powers, definitions, and other details outlined in Exhibit A, and referring this package to Council as a code change to establish a new Community Police Oversight Board and system.