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Newsletter
This monthly newsletter provides updates on the City's new police Oversight System, so readers have the opportunity to stay informed and actively engaged in our efforts to center community concerns in police reform.
Published
Damon Lamarr Johnson
Any loss of life is a tragedy. No one should lose their life while in a moment of vulnerability. This event underscores the importance of compassionate, trauma-informed responses, and structural changes when responding to support folks experiencing mental health crises.
Our hearts are with Mr. Johnson’s loved ones, neighbors, and our community.
Multiple investigations are currently underway surrounding the death of Mr. Johnson. The new Oversight System will not assume investigative responsibilities until we are fully operational, however. We hope there is never a need for the new Oversight System to investigate incidents like this one, but in custody deaths will fall under this office's jurisdiction once it is operational.
Understanding the new oversight system
The new Oversight System is comprised two key components:
Office of Community-based Police Accountability (OCPA)
- City of Portland employees who investigate complaints of police misconduct and present findings to the Community Board for Police Accountability.
- The Office of Community-based Police Accountability is organized within the City Operations Service Area and the Community Board for Police Accountability will be directly involved in hiring the Office's Director. The Director will manage and support the OCPA employees once they are hired.
Community Board for Police Accountability (CBPA)
- A board of community volunteers, appointed by City Council, who review those findings and make determinations.
- If the Board determines that misconduct is proven, they will also decide on appropriate disciplinary action using the City's Corrective Action Guide.
- The Board can also make recommendations to the Portland Police Bureau on policies and directives with the Community’s concerns in mind.
Comparing the new oversight system to the current oversight system
The new Oversight System will replace the current system when OCPA and CBPA become operational. The current system of Independent Police Review (IPR) and Citizen Review Committee (CRC) will continue until they complete any work started in their system. The table below outlines differences between the two systems.
| Roles and Responsibilities | New Oversight System | Current Oversight System | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCPA | CBPA | IPR | CRC | |
| City employees | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Community members | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Receive complaints | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Initiate and conduct investigations of sworn officers and their supervisors | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Use evidence and policy to make recommendations as to whether misconduct is proven | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Review investigations and review recommendations | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Decide whether misconduct is proven | ✔ | |||
| Propose discipline and hold due process meeting with covered employee | ✔ | |||
| If misconduct is proven, issue appropriate discipline | ✔ | |||
| Recommend policy changes to Portland Police Bureau (PPB) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| If Police Chief doesn't accept policy recommendations, may ask Council to change PPB policy | ✔ | |||
| Create annual reports | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Create accessible data dashboard | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| May hire outside expert to audit closed investigations | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Present reports to Council | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Host public meetings | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Conduct outreach | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Review PPB Internal Affairs investigations | ✔ | ✔ | ||
Oversight System Implementation timeline
This timeline outlines key milestones in the implementation of the new Oversight System. Currently, we’re completing background and eligibility checks.
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Learn more about the Office of Community-based Police Accountability
Our goal is to keep community members informed and engaged in the work of the Oversight System. Please let us know what questions you have about the new oversight system by emailing our program administrator, Kristen Thorp, at kristen.thorp@portlandoregon.gov. Thank you for being involved!