The
February 24, 2010
Portland Observer Black History Month
Page 17
O pinion
betters to the (SLditer
Change Police Culture
The City o f Roses has not been so rosy when it
comes to its African American citizens and police
relations.
During the past five years several African Ameri­
cans have been shot by Portland police officers
including three unarmed black citizens who were
fatally wounded.
Unfortunately, this trend tends to be a nation­
wide epidemic!
The state of Oregon has an African American
population o f roughly 2 percent; 8 percent in the
city of Portland. However, police shootings of
African American citizens and other citizens of
color occur more than 5 times that of white citizens
whose population in the state of Oregon o f Oregon
is over 80 percent.
Is this a coincidence? Is it an accident? Or is it
indifference when it comes to the well being of
citizens of color? Particularly African American
citizens.
Recently, 25-year-old Aaron Campbell was shot
in the back by a Portland police officer while
attempting to surrender. Campbell's hands were
locked behind his head and he reportedly was
walking backward complying with police com-
mands. However, something went terribly wrong
and Aaron Campbell was shot dead. He was
unarmed!
Did the color of his skin play a significant role in
the actions of a white police officer? Was there a
devaluation of life because Mr. Campbell was
black? Maybe there was just a communication
breakdown. However, the aforementioned ques­
tions must be asked again!
The civil rights of African American citizens
have been breached in this country and the city of
Portland for decades. Time is way over due for the
citizens of Portland to speak honestly to the injus­
tices to people of color by the power structure of
this city.
We need honest, harsh and "real" communica­
tion to affect cultural change in old police policies
and practices. We need police officers trained in
mental health as well as cultural diversity. And the
city must make a serious effort to recruit and retain
African Americans and other people o f color on a
"new" police force.
For Aaron Campbell and those who perished
before him, it’s time to make the necessary police
bureau changes concrete and substantial!
Jimi Johnson
Northeast Portland
Dysfunctional
Police Bureau
Some major reforms should include:
1. A change in state law denying the authority
to kill based on fear or imagination.
2. Appointment o f civilians (preferably social-
It’s ironic that Portland’s high definition as­ psychologists), instead o f police officers to be to
saults, killings and immorality emanate from our be chiefs of police.
own police department.
3. Screen out sadistic, racist and emotionally
The former chief of police had to be forced out unstable police applicants.
of office by a sensational sex scandal involving a
4. Require all police officers to be residents of
police subordinate.
this city.
A citizen who was assaulted trying to film a
The benefits o f these reforms would include:
police action was awarded $50,000 for being
a. The residential presence o f400 or more police
attacked by a police officer. A slight 21-year-old officers and their patrol cars would provide a
female Portland Community College student was significant deterrent to criminal activity.
pummeled by an officer for walking in the middle
b. The police officer ranks would tend to foster
of a deserted street.
a more ethnically diverse membership.
Kendra James, James Jahar Perez, James Chasse
c. More resident police officers would be
and most recently Aaron Campbell, all unarmed paying property taxes and help support our local
citizens of this city, have died at the hands o f the economy,
Portland Police Bureau.
The City Attorney’s office told me that, con­
It is also ironic that the City Council has failed to trary to Commissioner Dan Saltzman’s denial,
rein in an out-of-control police force and police these positive changes that can be accomplished
union, despite two major critical reports by the Los simply by passing a city ordinance.
Angeles-based Police Assessment Review Com­
It’s time for the City Council to stop dallying and
mission (in 2003 and 2005).
start taking control of the dysfunctional Portland
Jesse Jackson, the national political activist had Police Bureau form the president of the Portland
to be called in by a desperate citizenry demanding
Police union.
a radical change in the philosophy and practice of
Charles E. Long
our tax paid police force.
Northeast Portland
Anti Black Bias
I challenge an Oregon letter writer’s assertion
that “the majority of citizens of this country are not
racists,’ and his “doubt the police officer was
concerned about the man’s color when he shot him
in the back.”
I must remind people that a majority of those
killed by Portland police in recent years have been
black, even though they make up less than 8
percent o f our residents.
Public opinion surveys show that 6 in 10 whites,
by their own admission, believe at least one nega­
tive racial stereotype about blacks. According to
the National Opinion Research Center, a majority
of whites believe blacks are lazier, more prone to
violence and generally less intelligent. Psychologi­
cal tests, like the Implicit Association Tests, show
that 90 percent of whites harbor anti-black bias,
whether conscious or subconscious.
Please, let’s not pretend that police racial profil­
ing is “firmly behind us.”
Jamie Partridge
Northeast Portland
Ready, Set, Connect ...to
Portland
Public
Schools
Check out our
wide variety
of school options!
ppaov .
CONNECT:
■ Kindergarten Fairs
Fun and informative events for pre-kindergartners and parents
• Wednesday, Feb. 24, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Northside Family Support Center,
7650 N. Commercial Ave.
• Thursday, March 4, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Southside Family Support Center,
(at Kelly Elementary School), 9030 S.E. Cooper St.
■ Kindergarten Round-Ups
School-hosted events for parents of pre-kindergartners
• For dates, go online to www.readysetconnect.pps.kl2.or.us
or call the school.
■ Sixth-Grade and High School
Information Sessions
School open houses and individual tours
• For dates, go online to www.readysetconnect.pps.k12.or.us
or call the school.
■ 2010 PPS Choice Fair — New This Year!
Showcase of our uniquely focused schools and programs
• Tuesday, Feb. 9,4-8 p.m.,
Harriet Tubman Leadership Academy for Young Women,
2231 N. Flint Ave.
Portland Public Schools is an equal opportunity educator and employer
Portland Public Schools
3 /
501 N. Dixon St. Portland, OR 97227
503-916-3205
Dr. Raymon H. Edwards, Sr.
For President
GENERAL BAPTIST CONVENTION OF THE NORTHWEST
“SUPPORT RALLY"
Hosted by the True Vine Baptist Church
4735 N. Commercial Ave., Portland, OR. 97217
FRIDAY MARCH 12,2010—6:30 P.M.
All Pastors and Members of the General Baptist Convention in the
Portland area and Vicinity are invited to support and hear Rev. Dr.
Edwards' Platform, S. U. V. for the betterment of the Convention.
For more information, Call (503) 282-4545