The City of Portland's Independent Police Review (IPR) has released an external review of ten completed deadly force investigations involving Portland Police Bureau officers. The review was conducted by outside experts from the Office of Independent Review Group (OIR Group) and examines officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths that occurred between 2019 and 2022.
The report provides an in-depth analysis of each incident and identifies recurring themes that warrant further attention from the Portland Police Bureau (Police Bureau). As part of the review, the OIR Group made seven recommendations aimed at improving accountability, training, and decision-making. Key recommendations include:
- The Police Bureau should modify its deliberative protocols so that the review of every officer-involved shooting includes an explicit review of pre-shooting tactical decision making, and express findings from the Commander and Police Review Board on whether officers' tactical performance was consistent with training and policy.
- The Police Bureau should work with Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) leaders to develop a training bulletin for dispatchers on recognizing and conveying to officers relevant information about the possibility of a subject seeking self-harm through police intervention.
View the OIR Group's full report and response from the Police Bureau
During the review process, the OIR Group had full access to the Police Bureau's criminal and administrative investigations, training materials, and other relevant documents. The reviewers also met with Portland Police Bureau members, the City's Independent Police Review staff, and community members.
This is the OIR Group's ninth report for the City of Portland. Over the past 15 years, the group has reviewed a total of 75 critical incidents involving the Police Bureau.
Updated with start times for all meetings: The OIR Group will present their findings and recommendations to Portland City Council during a work session at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, and at a City Council meeting at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 29. Public testimony is accepted during the City Council meeting. City Council meetings are currently held in a hybrid format, with options to attend in-person or watch online or on TV. For information on attending, submitting testimony, or viewing the meetings, visit the Council Clerk's website, call (503) 823-4082, or email councilclerk@portlandoregon.gov. IPR's website will be updated with the times of those meetings when they're available.
Updated meeting start time: The OIR Group will also attend a Citizen Review Committee meeting hosted on Zoom on Wednesday, January 28 at 6:00 p.m. to answer questions about the report.
To request an accommodation for any of the meetings, please contact the City's 3-1-1 program at 3-1-1, (503) 823-4000, 7-1-1 for TTY via Oregon Relay Service, or submit an online request form. To ensure the best response, please make your request at least five business days before the program or event, if possible.
Contact Michael Gennaco of the OIR Group: (323) 821-0586 or Michael.Gennaco@OIRGroup.com