Pase4__________________________________ ‘ri"’ "Portiani»
(Observer___________________ October31,2012
Police Reform Deal
Encouraging exploration, inspiring discovery. Covers oversight,
The city has agreed to hire a
compliance officer to ensure the
tr c iin in r r a n d n e o
agreement is followed and form a
Community Oversight Advisory
Board. The board, which will
be chaired by the compliance
(AP)— The city of
officer, will include 15 voting
Portland has reached
members and five advisory
a proposed settlement
panelists.
with the U.S. Depart
The Justice Department in
ment o f Justice on
vestigation listed several ex
police reforms in the
amples in which officers used
wake of an investiga
stun guns without justifica
tion that found offic
tion against people in a mental
Sam Adams
ers too frequently use
health crisis. The police
excessive force against the men- bureau's updated policy limits the
tally ill.
use of stun guns on people suffering
The deal announced Friday af- from mental illness and prohibits their
temoon by M ayor Sam Adams, use on handcuffed suspects.
Police Chief Mike Reese and U.S.
It encourages officers to attempt
A ttorney Am anda M arshall in- to handcuff suspects rather than
eludes more oversight of the police subject them to repeated "cycles"
bureau as well as additional training from Tasers, referred to as electronic
and revisions to its policy on the control weapons in the settlement
use of stun guns.
agreement.
"When I took over as police com-
"After one standard ECW cycle
missioner, I said I would aggres- (5 seconds) the officer shall reevalu-
sively pursue changes. These are ate the situation to determine if sub-
the changes that will make Portland sequent cycles are necessary," the
a better place," Adams said via agreement states* "including wait-
Twitter and Facebook.
ing for a reasonable amount of time
The City Council will hear public to allow the subject to comply with
comment on the settlement at its the warning."
meeting Thursday. Once the coun-
In other reforms, the city must:
cil approves it, the agreement must
»Create a crisis intervention team,
be signed by a federal judge and comprised of patrol officers with
filed in U.S. District Court, The Or- specialized training, to be dispatched
egonian newspaper reported.
when a mental health issue is the
The Justice Department opened main reason for the call,
its investigation last year to exam-
• Expand its mobile crisis units
ine whether Portland police engaged from one car citywide to one car per
in a "pattern or practice" of exces- precinct. The cars will be staffed
sive force when dealing with the with an officer and a civilian mental
mentally ill. Agency officials con- health worker.
eluded in September that such a
• Ensure that investigations of
pattern exists, and began negotiat- officer misconduct are completed
ing with city leaders on reforms.
within 180 days.
training ana use Ol
stun guns
Grades Pre-Kindergarten through 5
Wednesday,
November 7,2012
6:00 to 8:00pm
Pre-register and view Open House schedule at
www.oes.edu/admissions
Financial Aid: need-based award program available
QES
Lowev
© 2Ol£o£S ’
OREGON EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
6 3 0 0 SW N icol Road | P o rtla n d , OR 97223
(503) 768-3115
www.oes.edu
Dr. Billy R. Flowers (above center) and his skilled s ta ff are ready to help those in need.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ THE_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
SPINACOHJMN
An ongoing series of questions and answers about America’s natural healing profession
Part 25. Chiropractic and Fitness:
The way to wellness in the eighties
: I continue to hear that alcohol. Get plenty of exercise. For try. F in a lly , alw ay s keep a
diet and exercising are help most people it only takes an hour or healthy nervous system . C hiro
fu l in maintaining a strong body.
so a week to stay fit. Walking at a practic is especially suited for
But where do I begin? There is so brisk pace with good arm swing is u n d e rsta n d in g the e ffe c t o f
much literature and when I ask my excellent. Rest is paramount. Every stress on the nervous system
doctor he seems unconcerned. one feels better after a good nights and how to elim inate it. Total
How can I get started?
sleep. In Chiropractic, we will often fitness can be only a call away
: A good way to begin is recommend relaxation exercises as and worth so much more than
with the basics. Since 1895 well. Have a joyful spirit. Scien ju st another pain prescription.
Chiropractic has been the leader
tists know now that our attitudes Isn’t it tim e you stepped up to
in teaching the basics of health to actually affect our entire chem is- safe effective C hiropractic?
our society. Good health must in
clude proper nutrition. A general
rule of thumb is that foods high in
2124N.E Hancock Street, Portland Oregon97212
fiber are best for you. Limit your
Phone: (5 0 3 ) 2 8 7 *5 5 0 4
meats and refined foods as well as
Q
A
Flowers' Chiropractic Office
New Urban Leader
c o n t i n u e d f r o m page 3
African-American community has
been the sm allest m inority.
“There is a rich history here
that unless you seek it, it’s not
apparent,” said Alexander, who
says after m oving here, he be
cam e a student o f the local A fri
can-Am erican community.
He says the com m unity is no
longer defined by geography, but
by gentrification, displacem ent
and urban renewal.
The people are im pacted, he
said, pointing to social stabilizers
that define quality o f life issues
that are put out o f reach for so
many.
P o r tla n d ’s “ n u m b e rs ,” the
streets and neighborhoods east
o f 82nd Avenue, have not been
built to support the displaced
populations who live there, he
said.
As the Urban L eague’s new
leader, he calls for a pre-urban
renewal m indset, where robust
com m unities are sustained to sup
port fam ilies
A lex an d er said these c h a l
lenges w on’t be heard by city o f
ficials, dow ntow n, unless “we
stand on bully pulpits.”
A sk ed a b o u t th e U rb an
L eague’s many changes in lead
ership over its 67-year-old legacy
and last year’s controversy sur
rounding the L eague’s m isappro
priation of funds, Alexander said
he is confident that accounting
and ethical standards at the Ur
ban League are in place.
“There will clearly be shared
accountability, governance and
oversight in terms o f the chal
lenges we faced last year,” he said,
“This was a difficult time and it
took away from a strong legacy
and many folks working hard.”
Alexander says he is “excited,
pleased and hum bled” to be U r
ban L eag u e’s new leader and
“yes” he is up to the challenge.
“For as long as I have it, I’m going
to bring it,” he said.