Appoint Tim Pitts and Cherie Smith to the Police Accountability Commission
WHEREAS, on July 30, 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 accountability and oversight system; and
WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020, Portland voters approved the new Charter Amendment (Charter 2-10) with 81.58% supporting the ballot measure; and
WHEREAS, the City Council authorized a 20-community member Commission to develop a recommendation to Council for the details of the structure and framework for the new accountability system; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 37548 mandated each Council member to select five people from four different groups: members of historically overpoliced communities, representatives of organizing providing support to overpoliced communities, representatives of community justice organizations, and small business owners; and
WHEREAS, two appointees to the Police Accountability Commission, Eric Hunter and Keonna Ollison, have resigned their seats; and
WHEREAS, the City conducted a robust application process for this commission, receiving over 100 applications for the original appointment and member replacement; and
WHEREAS, all City Council offices collaborated on the selection process for this Commission and agreed to its appointments:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby appoints Tim Pitts and Cherie Smith to serve on the Police Accountability Commission to fill the vacancy caused by Eric Hunter and Keonna Ollison's resignations; biographies and statement of intent are attached hereto as Exhibit A.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that following this appointment, the community members on the Commission are:
Members of Overpoliced Communities: Tirsa Orellana, Christian Orellana Bauer, May Saechao, Angie Tomlinson, Obinna Chiedozie Ugwu-Oju
Representatives of Organizations Serving Overpoliced Communities: Aje Amaechi, Monica Arce, Seemab Hussaini, K.C. Lewis, Lovisa Lloyd
Representatives of Community Justice Organizations: Faythe Aiken, Debbie Aiona, Sophia Glenn, Dan Handelman, Charlie Michelle-Westley
Small Business: Cameron Browne, Katherine McDowell, Tim Pitts, Cherie Smith, Connie Wohn
Official Record (Efiles)
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
The Police Accountability Commission is tasked with developing a new administrative investigation and discipline system for Portland police, including the development of a community police oversight board as described in City Charter Section 2-10. The PAC's term began December 9, 2021 and will continue into 2023.
This resolution appoints two community members to serve for the remainder of the term of the Police Accountability Commission, replacing members who have resigned, as the commission crafts the details of the new police oversight system. This is the tenth resolution related to the Police Accountability Commission.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
There is no direct financial or budgetary impact related to this appointment.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
- All Portlanders may be impacted by the Police Accountability Commission’s work.
- Code changes recommended by the Police Accountability Commission will be presented to the City Council beginning in 2023, and during the commission’s work as well as Council consideration, community members are anticipated to engage in the process.
- These appointments were made from the initial applicant pool for the Police Accountability Commission, which included over 100 applications received during the open application process for this Commission that was conducted in 2021.
100% Renewable Goal
Although it is incorporated into the sustainable procurement policy, this specific resolution does not impact the city’s use of energy or pursuit of the 100% renewable goal.
Agenda Items
217 Regular Agenda in March 15, 2023 Council Agenda
Adopted
- Commissioner Carmen Rubio Yea
- Commissioner Dan Ryan Yea
- Commissioner Rene Gonzalez Yea
- Commissioner Mingus Mapps Yea
- Mayor Ted Wheeler Yea