Align Police Accountability Commission with Timeline Under U.S. Department of Justice Settlement Agreement
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 37527 affirms the Council's commitment that "an inclusive, diverse community driven process is needed to develop recommendations to City Council for the structure and processes of the new oversight system" and in Resolution 37548 committed to "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, the Council also noted in both Resolution 37527 and Resolution 37548 that "it is of critical importance that there be a lengthy, involved process where consideration is given to the complex topic of police accountability"; and
WHEREAS, Council established the start date for the PAC as December 9, 2021 in Resolution 37569, and the PAC is set to meet for eighteen months as established in Resolution 37527; and
WHEREAS, the City is a party to a Settlement Agreement with the United States Department of Justice, and Council approved in Ordinance 190694 amendments to theSettlement Agreement, which included that the Commission conclude its work "within 18 months of the date this paragraph is entered as an order of the Court"; and
WHEREAS, the amendments were entered as an order of the Court on April 29, 2022, setting the PAC's deadline under federal court order as not to exceed October 29, 2023; and
WHEREAS, all City Council offices support the mission of the Police Accountability Commission, its efforts to date, and the importance of its work being successful:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council aligns the Council deadline for the Police Accountability Commission with the deadline under the Settlement Agreement between the United States and the City by authorizing the Police Accountability Commission to work until October 29, 2023.
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.
This resolution aligns the end date of the Police Accountability Commission from the City Council with the deadline of the PAC under the USDOJ v. City of Portland Settlement Agreement, and requires the commission to craft the details of the new police oversight system for presentation to City Council by October 29, 2023. 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
The Police Accountability Commission is a commission comprised of community members that are working to craft a new police accountability system that is mandated in City Charter. This Commission will continue to interact with other community members and will ultimately develop the details for a new police oversight system that will be run by community members.
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.