Dear Portlanders,
The Police Accountability Commission continued its Structure and Details Phase of work in April, which focuses on developing the form of the new police accountability and oversight system. This phase of work continued into early May.
You can learn more about the Police Accountability Commission at www.portland.gov/police-accountability.
April Summary - Public Meetings
The Police Accountability Commission and its sub-committees held eight public meetings in April. The PAC also hosted a community forum and a listening sessions to hear directly from community members about their preferences for details of the new system.
The Sub-Committee on Board Membership met on April 6, April 10, and April 20. Working from concepts developed in March, the sub-committee focused on term lengths, board size, and board compensation, and eventually finalized and referred Draft Areas of Agreement on Board Membership to the full commission for consideration and approval..
The Sub-Committee on Oversight Staff met on April 3 and April 17. Also working from its concepts developed in March, the sub-committee focused on staff duties and the range of issues and roles staff should take on, as well as the staff's location within the City org chart. This resulted in the referral of Draft Areas of Agreement on Oversight Staff to the full commission by the conclusion of the April 17 meeting..
The Sub-Committee on Reporting and Transparency did not meet, having concluded its work in March.
The full commission met three times in April. On April 13, the Commission concluded its first round of Council briefings, hosting City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez. At the same meeting, the Commission completed discussion on the Areas of Agreement on Reporting and Transparency and approved the document. On April 24, the Commission approved a definition of "Independent Judgment," and walked through the two remaining draft documents. Finally, on April 27 the Commission continued its discussion of the two remaining drafts, focusing on the Draft Areas of Agreement on Oversight Staff. Both documents were completed in early May.
April Summary - Community Engagement
On April 8, the PAC held an open Community Forum in person at the East Portland Community Center. 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 April 11, the PAC was part of a Listening Session with the Portland Business Alliance to hear from its members about their desired new system. This listening session was part of a series that also has included meeting with Don't Shoot Portland and the Oregon Justice Resource Center.
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!