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Subscribe to RSSPORTLAND, Ore. — Federal investigators on Thursday said the Portland Police Bureau has engaged in a “pattern or practice” of excessive force against suspects who are mentally ill.
Assistant U.S. Attorney General Thomas Perez said the Justice Department and the city reached a preliminary agreement on improvements, such as increased training, expedited investigations and increased community oversight of the reforms.
The agency launched its investigation in June 2011 to examine whether Portland police engaged in excessive force after a series of police shootings, many involving suspects with mental illness, over the previous 18 months.
Perez said Portland's mayor and police chief cooperated with the investigation.
“While our investigation has revealed that inadequate systems of supervision and oversight and the absence of specialized training have permitted particular use of force violations to persist at the Portland Police Bureau, we are confident that the steps already taken and those contained in our tentative agreement will provide meaningful and sustainable reform.” said Perez in a statement.
Federal officials have conducted similar reviews in other states. Seattle officials recently reached a deal with the Department of Justice, agreeing to court oversight and independent monitoring of the city's police department.
The issue of how police deal with the mentally ill has been a topic for years in Portland.
U.S. Attorney for Oregon Amanda Marshall told The Oregonian the findings of the report were "grave and serious."
“We all agree with the fundamental principle that all citizens, especially our most vulnerable, must be able to trust the police to protect their civil rights,” said Marshall in a statement.
The DOJ announced its Portland investigation in the aftermath of the 2010 death of Aaron Campbell, an unarmed man who was fatally shot by officers who responded to a call that he was threatening suicide.
Another prominent case involved the death James Chasse Jr., a mentally ill man who died after he was chased and tackled by officers after he was said to have urinated in public in 2006.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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I am so tired of blacks portraying themselves as sweet and innocent when it comes to the race card.......get a life, and quit accusing others of what you do all the time.......
This pastor best take a long look at himself and what he is doing to his community!!
Um. I think you have the wrong page. Entirely.
Wrong country...
wish we still had brains: uh, what are you referring to? This article is about the mentally ill...no race was mentioned in the article or are u just making stuff up?
Perhaps the political figures in Oregon should take a little time to re-evaluate the demands of the local mentally ill. If this is an issue....like the article said....why wasn't something implemented a long time ago to protect this population, or assistance made available to those who need it? Mental health clinics should be available to any and all American people, in my opinion. Look at ALL THE CRAZY we are seeing in the news and it just gets worse and worse every day. I say FREE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES for every single person in this country. It's the first line of protection I see is needed for this country and it's citizens.
The mentally ill are a vulnerable population. The police are not properly trained to adequately work w/ the popultion. Countless news stories suggest there is a problem. However, mentally ill are often times consered rejects, like the island of misfit toys. Just wait until a family member or close friend is diagnosed w/ a SMI, Oh wait now I care. Funny in this country...we have so much money, but only for the rich and middle class. People w/ a SMI are under served and under protected.
Blue takes care of blue and it's been that way for all of my 55 yrs. Very few penalties so it never ends.
And here I thought they just didn't like people of color. Go figure.
Sick getting away with murder
Portland's predatory homosexual pedophile Mayor, his DIS-honor Sam Adams, is at the top of this problem. If he spent less time cruising for under-age boys to have butt sex with, maybe Portland wouldn't have this problem.
The only thing that will stop excessive force is actual punishment for abuse of authority. Start treating cops that break the law just like the criminals they are instead of putting them on administrative leave or desk duty. Send them to jail. Prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law they swore to uphold. Start charging cops with assault and manslaughter and see how long it takes for them to stop brutalizing people.
Portland cops used to be decent lot. I guess that has changed.
In the 10 years I've lived here, I have heard nothing but horror stories about Portland police. Especially towards homeless and the mentally ill.
The police , nation wide,,in the last 40 years , have been placed in the role of not only protecting and stopping crime, but , in essence , being social and psychiatric counselors. Due to the switch from long term inpatient care facilities, to pill popping clinics, I personally who have been in the field, seen the negative effects that is has had on our society. The mentally ill, in particular, suffer the worst The problems vary by state and region. This is , however , the kind of problem that the federal government should play a role in.
It ensures , not only our safety and general well being,but a sound mind is needed to be able to achieve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
As an aside, counseling sessions for mental health professional have not be reimbursed at the same rate as other medical professionals for years. I would say that is crazy. Maybe too much of a bad pun.
I beg to differ from most of the posters here. I work in the mental health field and have frequent contact with the Portland police in situations dealing with acutely mentally ill individuals. I have seen compassionate treatment of this under-served population and most incidents end very peacefully. However, when you have such a large group of chronically ill people who do not get the supports and medication they need there will be isolated incidents in which the outcome is tragic. Some of this population can be very dangerous and unpredictable.
Can any of you imagine having to confront as 6'4" 250 pound man who is actively hallucinating that he is going to be killed if he does not protect himself from some unknown "they"and has been self medicating with all sorts of drugs and alcohol? Can you see yourself being able to verbally calm this person down and convince him to accept your help even when he has a weapon in his hand and is being told by his voices to "kill them all"? This type of scenario is all too common in this day and age and the general population has no idea how often our police are called upon to place themselves in positions such as I just described. The cases that make the news are a very miniscule percentage of the actual times the police have to contact this population in order to keep these individuals and the rest of society safe.
The reality of today's world is that the police are required to act as crisis workers and social services, usually multiple times in a single shift. Most of the officers I encounter are very dedicated and well able to handle these duties. However new officers can and do get in over their heads and there are some officers who are experienced who simply do not have the particular skill set needed to be able to diffuse a volatile situation with a mentally ill individual. Please do not generalize that all PPD uses excessive force and does not have compassion toward the mentally ill and homeless population unless you are in a position to see these encounters on a regular basis.
Sounds more like Portlands finest at some point declared open season on the mentally ill -- good chance to flex up the cop muscles and pull out the service pistols, act all macho and yahoo. Then kill an unarmed guy who was threatening to kill himself, hmm... Nobody suspended or under investigation or in jail, hmm...
Death by tackle, lmao