Ballot Measure 26-217 | We’ve watched Portland police brutalize protesters, legal observers and journalists with impunity for months — it’s time to create a system that will hold them accountable for their actions
This measure would amend the city charter to create an independent community police oversight board, appointed by City Council, that would have more access to information and authority to hold police accountable than the present police oversight system.
Currently, the Independent Police Review, housed in the City Auditor’s office, along with the Citizen Review Committee, investigate civilian complaints against officers and make recommendations for discipline, but they lack any real power and the absence of meaningful police oversight has been a target of justice reform advocates for years. Investigators cannot subpoena officers, and their findings are kept confidential. They even have to file public records requests in order to review police reports. Recommendations for discipline are just that — recommendations.
The proposed replacement to this system, referred to voters by Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, would have the authority to impose discipline upon bureau employees, including termination. It would be able to subpoena documents; compel witness statements, including from police officers, and access police records; and implement changes to policy and practice.
Hardesty calls her measure a “vital piece” of what’s needed to transform the local criminal justice system.
Many details would still need to be hashed out, and the community would be given the opportunity to give feedback during the process.
But the Portland Police Association — the police union — is sure to weigh in as well, both in court with challenges to the measure should it pass and in its upcoming contract negotiations.
The price tag of the commission is a bit steep, at 5% of the Police Bureau’s operating budget (about $12 million annually).
We also question how effective the end result would be, considering the tremendous power of the police union, which will likely fight to minimize the committee’s influence and power at every step of development.
But if Portland ever had a chance at increasing police accountability, that time is now, and we must take it.
As Hardesty noted, “I have never, in my 60-plus years on the Earth, seen the kind of opportunity we have right now, where we have the public will and the political will lining up at the exact same time.”
Improving our system for police accountability has to be a top priority — especially considering the events we’ve seen surface again and again in online videos since the racial justice protests began in late May. Too often, Portland police gas, beat, push, run over or otherwise brutalize protesters, legal observers and journalists with impunity. They know they won’t be held accountable, and we must change that. Despite the challenges this measure will face, Portland must, as a community, continue to push for greater police accountability. The establishment of a new process for reviewing complaints against the department and for recommending discipline is necessary. Vote yes.
Street Roots endorsements represent the opinion of the Street Roots organization and editorial board.
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