Portland police at a crossroads: Progressive council vs. status quo

Portland police in the streets on Nov. 4, 2020. | Paula Bronstein / AP

PORTLAND, Ore.—As Portland prepares to seat its most progressive city council ever, the Portland Police Bureau faces an unprecedented shift in civilian oversight and direction. The Portland Police Association, which has historically wielded significant influence in city politics, secured endorsements from only five of the 12 incoming council members, marking a clear break from past councils.

This seismic shift comes at a particularly sensitive moment for the Bureau, which is still grappling with the aftermath of its controversial response to the 2020 protests. Sparked by the murder of George Floyd, the demonstrations saw the police bureau’s use of force and crowd control tactics come under intense scrutiny. The bureau paid over $2.5 million for their protest behavior that year, and new settlements are still being approved.

The timing is especially crucial as Donald Trump’s re-election raises concerns about renewed federal intervention in Portland’s approach to policing and protest response. During Trump’s first term, Portland became a flashpoint for federal overreach when the Department of Homeland Security sent federal officers to the city during the 2020 protests.

In June, Police Chief Bob Day announced the controversial relaunch of the Rapid Response Team. The same crowd control unit dramatically disbanded in 2021 after all its members quit in protest when one of their colleagues was indicted. Despite earlier attempts to rebrand the unit as the “Public Order Team,” the bureau reverted to the old name. It brought back 35 of the previously resigned officers. The decision to announce this through a press conference rather than community meetings has drawn criticism from oversight groups.

The incoming council’s progressive majority brings a markedly different vision for public safety. Mayor-elect Keith Wilson has strongly backed Portland Street Response, the city’s innovative program that dispatches unarmed first responders to behavioral health crises. This vision, which emphasizes the importance of community-based solutions and reducing the burden on our first responder system, has the potential to inspire positive change in Portland’s approach to public safety.

These changes come as the bureau transitions to new oversight under Court Monitor Mark P. Smith and Associates, replacing the previous Compliance Officer/Community Liaison system. The new oversight framework, which includes plans for a Community Board for Police Accountability, underscores the crucial role of community oversight in shaping the future of policing in Portland.

The prospect of renewed federal intervention under Trump adds another layer of complexity to Portland’s policing reforms. During Trump’s first term, the deployment of federal officers to protect the federal courthouse led to escalated tensions and violent confrontations. Legal experts warn Trump might again target West Coast cities that opposed him.

Recent events suggest that tensions around protest response remain high. When Portland State University called the police to handle protests over the Israeli genocide in Palestine, the bureau’s response drew criticism. In one incident captured on video, police spokesperson Sgt. Kevin Allen claimed protesters had used shields as weapons, but footage showed officers charging at demonstrators who were carrying modified garbage cans defensively while retreating down a sidewalk.

Such incidents highlight the ongoing disconnect between police leadership and community oversight. While Mayor Ted Wheeler, who serves as Police Commissioner, has dismissed protester concerns by saying they shouldn’t “whine, complain, and cry” about police responses if they disobey orders, Chief Day has shown more openness to dialogue about tactics.

The police bureau’s relationships with neighboring law enforcement agencies also remain strained following 2020’s protests. While some agencies will help with 911 calls during demonstrations, many remain reluctant to assist with crowd control. Chief Day recently announced that police from Gresham, Lake Oswego, and the Port of Portland would be available for basic service calls if Portland officers are occupied with demonstrations.

Looking ahead, the new council faces immediate challenges in implementing meaningful reform. The development of the Community Board for Police Accountability has already faced resistance, with the Portland Police Association attempting to weaken its powers through both failed ballot measures and collective bargaining.

Key issues remain unresolved, including requirements that board members cannot have “bias for or against police” – language that critics say could exclude qualified community members who support accountability.

The path forward will likely involve significant changes to police oversight and allocation of public safety resources. Despite recent leadership turnover, Portland Street Response has strong backing from incoming councilors. However, the program has struggled under current management, with its former manager leaving after feeling “politically scapegoated” and its latest manager resigning for personal reasons.

Portland’s experiment in progressive public safety reform faces unprecedented challenges. The incoming council must balance calls for police accountability with maintaining public order, particularly as the city faces the prospect of renewed protests under a second Trump presidency. Portland’s success or failure could provide a model for other progressive cities seeking to transform their public safety systems in challenging political times.

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CONTRIBUTOR

Lenny Bogdan

Lenny Bogdan reports from Portland, Oregon, focusing on healthcare access and social justice. A former substance misuse counselor with two decades of experience in mental health advocacy, he transitioned to journalism while continuing his work in disability justice organizing. He covers the intersection of public health policy and community activism in the Pacific Northwest.