Dear Portlanders,
The Police Accountability Commission continued its Structure and Details Phase of work in March, which focuses on developing the form of the new police accountability and oversight system. This phase of work continues, and is expected to end in late April or early May.
You can learn more about the Police Accountability Commission at www.portland.gov/police-accountability.
March Summary
The Police Accountability Commission and its sub-committees held eight public meetings in March. The PAC also hosted two community forums to hear directly from community members about their preferences for details of the new system. Finally, the PAC also held a private community-building session to develop working relationships among members, including newly appointed members.
The month began with a joint meeting of two sub-committees, the Sub-Committee on Board Membership and the Sub-Committee on Oversight Staff, on March 2.
The Sub-Committee on Board Membership met again on March 9 and on March 27. It developed concepts for inclusion into an eventual draft document (Areas of Agreement on Board Membership) which will be finalized and referred to the full commission for consideration in April.
The Sub-Committee on Oversight Staff also met on March 13. Similarly, it developed concepts for inclusion, with slightly more of its work expected to be done in April before referring a document to the full commission for its consideration later in April.
The Sub-Committee on Reporting and Transparency had met once in late February, and met again on March 6, March 16, and March 23. By the end of the March 23 meeting, the sub-committee had met four times, and concluded its work by referring a draft Areas of Agreement on Reporting and Transparency to the full commission. The document focuses on transparency and public access to meetings and hearings; and on reporting to the public and City Council including regular reports presented to City Council, publicly accessible raw data and dashboards, accessibility, and confidentiality.
The full commission met once in March, on March 30. At this meeting, the Commission began discussing the Reporting and Transparency document. Additional topics included a small revision to the PAC's Agenda and Scope, an Equity Training for members, and a short discussion on the definitions for terms that City Council asked the PAC to define.
On March 14, the PAC held an open, virtual Community Forum for the public to give input into the PAC's design of the new accountability system, including a new oversight board and investigatory and disciplinary structure. On March 22, the PAC held another open Community Forum on the same issues - this one in person.
Get Involved!
The PAC website includes a page with more information on how to get involved in the commission's work, including how to watch meetings, give public comment during meetings, and give written public comment to the PAC as well. Written public comment is circulated to the commission in advance of each meeting.
The most up-to-date list of meetings and events is listed on the website:
Full Event Calendar
Thank you!