Disability Rights Oregon, Jan. 17, 2014
In 2012, the US DOJ found a “pattern or practice of excessive force by the Portland Police Bureau against people with, or perceived to be with, mental illness.” Now the community needs to speak out at a “Fairness Hearing” on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 9 a.m., 1000 SW 3rd to strengthen the DOJ Agreement. Testify as to whether the agreement is “fair, adequate and reasonable”.
On December 19, 2013, the City of Portland, the Portland Police Association (PPA), the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Albina Ministerial Alliance (AMA, to which DRO is a member) Coalition for Justice and Police Reform agreed to move forward with the process of settling the lawsuit filed by the DOJ.
A Settlement Agreement regarding changes to the policies of the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), adopted by City Council in November 2012 includes many positive changes that will address some of the issues found in the DOJ’s pattern and practice investigation.
Now the community needs to speak out at a “Fairness Hearing” on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 9 a.m., 1000 SW 3rd to strengthen the DOJ Agreement. Testify as to whether the agreement is “fair, adequate and reasonable”
Information about the agreement:
- Announcement of Fairness Hearing (PDF, 78KB)
- Settlement Agreement (PDF, 205KB) – This is the agreement itself.
- AMA Coalition Fact Sheet on Settlement (PDF, 78KB) – A fact sheet from AMA Coalition on benefits and drawbacks of the settlement.
- Form to Submit Testimony (PDF, 162KB) – fillable and printable. Use this form to submit written comments as ordered by the Court in the above-styled case only. Your written comments should pertain specifically to topics of the proposed settlement agreement in this case
Before the hearing, there are a series of community forums put on by the AMA to explain the DOJ Settlement Agreement and the purpose of the Fairness Hearing to the community. At these forums, people will also be encouraged to write their testimony and/or record video to send to Judge Simon.
The current dates and locations for these forums are:
- Saturday, January 25, 12 Noon-2:00 pm, Maranatha Church • 4222 NE 12th Ave
- Tuesday, January 28, 6:30 -8:30 pm, First Unitarian Church • 1011 SW 12th Ave
- Saturday, February 8, 2:00 -4:00 pm, St Johns Community Center, 8427 N Central St
- Thursday, February 13, 6:00- 8:00 pm, Rosewood Community Center, 16126 SE Stark St
In addition, Portland Copwatch will hold an informational meeting about the DOJ Agreement on Saturday, February 8 from 2:30-4:30 pm at the AFSC office, 2249 E Burnside.
More information on the AMA Website, http://www.albinaministerialcoalition.org/ and on the Portland Copwatch website, http://www.portlandcopwatch.org/