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Portland Cops Crackdown on Mentally Ill, Feds Say
The United States and the city of Portland, Ore., have reached a preliminary agreement to reform the Portland Police Bureau’s policies and practices following a comprehensive investigation into excessive force against people with mental illness. The investigation, conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, found that the Portland Police Bureau has engaged in an unconstitutional pattern or practice of excessive force against people with mental illness.
The investigation, launched on June 8, 2011, focused on whether the Portland Police Bureau engages in unconstitutional or unlawful policing through the use of excessive force, particularly against people with mental illness or in mental health crisis. While the investigation found that most uses of force by police officers were lawful and reasonable, it also found reasonable cause to believe that the Portland Police Bureau engages in a pattern or practice of excessive force in certain contexts.
The Justice Department delivered a letter detailing its findings to Portland Mayor Sam Adams and Police Chief Michael Reese, who were cooperative throughout the investigation. The letter highlighted three main areas of concern: excessive force during interactions with people who have or are perceived to have mental illness, the use of electronic control weapons (ECWs) when force is not justified, and the use of a higher degree of force than necessary for low-level offenses.
As part of the preliminary agreement, the city of Portland will enhance its use of force policies, increase capacity for crisis intervention with specially-trained officers and civilians, and expedite investigations of complaints of misconduct. The agreement also calls for the creation of a body to ensure increased community oversight of reforms. The city and the United States have committed to having a final agreement by Oct. 12, 2012.
The investigation’s findings were set against the backdrop of a larger mental health system with gaps in services. The absence of a comprehensive community mental health infrastructure often shifts the burden of being first responders to law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.
Portland Mayor Sam Adams and Police Chief Michael Reese have expressed a commitment to reform and cooperation with the Justice Department. The agreement will be filed with the court, but the action will be dismissed and the court will review compliance only upon an assertion by the United States of a material breach that cannot be resolved through good faith negotiations between the parties.
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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