May 08,2002
Page A3
Grand Jury Accuses Police of Cover-Up
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Case involves man beaten by two off duty police officers
in
A grand ju ry in Portland has issued a letter to
of our inquiry We resolved the first issue by bringing
from people we employ to be managers, supervisors and
Multnomah County District Attorney M ichael Schrunk
an indictment against one of the officers. The second
officers within the Portland Police Bureau
that accuses supervisors in the Portland Police Bu
issue is more difficult and equally concerning. That
Following the beating of the victim, it is apparent that
reau o f engaging in a cover-up to protect two off-duty
inquiry focused on conduct that in our minds amounted
no one was in control of the investigation or the situa
officers charged in beating a man after an altercation
to a cover-up. We believe this matter would have
tion. It was obvious to anyone looking at injuries to the
in a downtown bar. The Jan. 24 incident came to light
remained buried had not an anonymous person written
victim that this was an aggravated felony assault by two
, last week when assault charges were issued against
to the Police Oversight Commission. It is for this reason
off-duty officers. Because the victim did not want to
the officers. The police bureau is now conducting an
that we request that you communicate our thoughts,
prosecute the matter, everyone used this as an excuse
internal investigation. The text o f the grand ju r y ’s
which are reflected in this letter to the Chief of Police.
not to pursue a thorough criminal investigation. What
letter follow s:
As members of the community, and as Grand Jurors,
Dear Mr. Schrunk:
we have grave concerns about the actions and inac
We the members of Grand Jury #1 have heard over
tions of the police officers and command personnel of
120criminal cases in the last three and half weeks. Much
the Portland Police Bureau on the night in question
o f the testimony has come from men and women who
While we considered criminal charges against at leasi
are Portland police officers. Their professionalism, thor
one officer, we do not think there is sufficient evidence
oughness and dedication to the safety o f our commu
to warrant an indictment. The actions and inactions ol
nity filled each o f us with sincere admiration and pride.
the police clearly resulted in a cover-up. However, we
For the past several days we have heard evidence
are unable to say beyond a reasonable doubt that the
regarding the beating o f a civilian by two off-duty
actions were intentional because there is a reasonable
Portland Police Officers on Jan. 24. The beating and
possibility that the actions were the result of gross
what occurred immediately after has been the subject
negligence. In either case, it is not something we expect
continued
on page A6
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Local Lawmaker Listens
to Diverse Communities
by
M ichael L eighton
velop good polices that
T he P ortland
are results oriented, not
O bserver
law m akers who enhance
A northeast Portland
their own egos.
woman is reaching out to
“We
need
le a d e rs
the diverse com m unities
com m itted to the long
o f her city in a bid for elec
run,” she said.
tion to the O regon H ouse
Dingfelder’s priorities
o f R epresentatives.
for office are support for
D em ocratic State Rep.
education, an overhaul of
Jackie Dingfelder says be
the tax system and sup
ing a liaison for and lis
porting health care for low-
tening to the concerns o f
income Oregonians.
t
the different com m unities
“In P ortland, public
in her House D istrict 45,
schools are the key to keep
are the m ost im portant
ing the city a wonderful
parts o f her job.
place to live,” she said.
The district covers one
Dingfelder has demon
o f the m ost diverse po p u
strated w ith P o rtland’s
lations in the state w ith
school custodians in then-
A sian A m ericans and P a
fight to keep jobs targeted
cific Islanders comprising
by budget cuts, calling
Jackie Dingfelder
the largest m inority at 8.5
custodians people who
percent. L atinos at 6.6 percent and A frican-A m eri
cans at 4.7 percent. It stretches north o f the Banfield
Freew ay, from the Irv in g to n n eighborhood to
Parkrose.
“take care o f our schools.”
She’s not a supporter of school vouchers, fearing
they will create a class of haves and have-nots.
Dingfelder’s experience at the state capitol in Salem
Dingfelder says people are tired of politics as usual.
includes one half of a regular session and two special
“O regon’s changed a lot, but the L egislature has
sessions. She was appointed to the Legislature to
been slow to ch ange,” she said.
represent northeast Portland when former Rep. Jo Ann
D ingfelder said voters w ant law m akers who de-
V
Bowman resigned more than a year ago.
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