^ o rtla n h (Obserucr_______________________Page3
September 19, 2012
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Assistant U.S. Attorney General Tom Perez (left), speaks as Portland Mayor Sam Adams (right) and
Portland Police Chief Mike Reese listen during a news conference Thursday announcing the results
of an investigation into the Portland Police Bureau. (AP photo)
Police Use
Excessive Force
F all F uns
G uide '
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Agreement calls for reforms and oversight
C lassifieds
C alendar
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page 19
The U.S. Justice Department on
Thursday announced the results of
an investigation into the Portland
police department, saying officers
use excessive force against men
tally ill people — violations that
include frequently discharging stun
guns without justification.
The findings were the result of a
federal civil rights investigation ini
tiated last summer after a series of
police shootings, many involving
mentally ill suspects.
The Albina Ministerial Alliance
Coalition for Justice and Police Re
form, a group of mostly African-
American clergy, had wanted the
probe to also include police actions
related to racial profiling and dis
crimination, but said the results of
the investigation will help make
police officers accountable.
“This is a day for renewed hope
and optimism for all of the people of
Portland,” said Rev. Dr. Leroy
Haynes, chair of the AMA coali
tion. “With the power and resources
of the federal government behind
us, our long community struggle to
reform the Portland Police Bureau
draws strength. We are no longer
the only voices seeking justice for
community members brutalized by
Portland Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney General
Thomas Perez said the Department
of Justice and the city have reached
a preliminary agreement on reforms,
such as increased training, expe
dited investigations and increased
c o m m u n ity o v e rsig h t o f the
changes.
Perez said the DOJ found that
encounters between the Portland
Police Bureau and "persons living
with mental illness too frequently
result in the unnecessary use of
force or in a higher level of force
than was necessary."
The federal agency opened its
investigation in June 2011 to exam
ine whether Portland police engaged
in a "pattern or practice" of exces
sive force when dealing with the
mentally ill.
Portland's mayor and police chief
cooperated with the investigation,
Perez said.
"It's disappointing to hear that
the Department of Justice believes
that you haven't got it right," said
police Chief Mike Reese.
Federal officials have conducted
similar reviews in other states. Se-
continued
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