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Portland Police Chief Mike Reese says all bureau members - sworn officers and civilian employees - must sign a statement, acknowledging that they've read and understand the city's settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.

(The Oregonian)

Every member of the Portland Police Bureau, both sworn officers and civilian employees, must sign a statement that they have read and understand the settlement agreement the city reached with the U.S. Department of Justice that calls for reforms to Portland police policies, training and oversight.

The agreement requires the signatures from each member of the Police Bureau, within 90 days of the judge's Aug. 29 approval.

That means the signatures would have to be obtained by Nov. 29, but Police Chief Mike Reese has set an Oct. 29 deadline.

"Take the time to read the entire 77 page document to gain a basic understanding of the areas of focus for the DOJ with regards to the Bureau and its operations,'' police Capt. Mike Marshman wrote to bureau employees. "Additionally, review the vast amount of data points that are and will continue to be generated by PPB that the DOJ intends to review to determine whether the Bureau is in substantial compliance with the Agreement.''

A Justice Department investigation in 2012 found Portland police engaged in a pattern or practice of excessive force against people with mental illness or perceived to have mental illness. The investigation also found that police use of stun guns was unjustified and excessive at times.

The negotiated agreement, signed by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon, calls for changes to Portland police use of force and Taser policies, training and oversight, and sets a series of deadlines for hiring a compliance officer and creating a community advisory board to track the reforms.

Here's the complete memo that Marshman sent to bureau members this week:

Members of the Bureau,

This is the link you will use to find a copy of the Settlement Agreement between the City of Portland and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that was signed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon on August 29, 2014. It is referred to as Attachment 1 at the bottom of each page because it was part of the City's legal memorandum requesting that the Judge accept the Agreement. That memorandum comprises the first eleven pages of the document. As you will see from the page numbers on both the top and bottom, it is 77 pages long.

One of the terms of the Agreement (action item number 190) states that each member of the Portland Police Bureau shall sign a statement indicating that they have read and understand this Agreement within 90 days of the effective date of the Agreement. Thus PPB is required to achieve compliance with this by November 29, 2014. However, Chief Reese is expecting that both sworn and non-sworn members comply with this by October 29, 2014. We have set up a process that will work like the Acknowledgment system for Directives that is in place now and with which you are familiar. Take the time to read the entire 77 page document to gain a basic understanding of the areas of focus for the DOJ with regards to the Bureau and its operations. Additionally, review the vast amount of data points that are and will continue to be generated by PPB that the DOJ intends to review to determine whether the Bureau is in substantial compliance with the Agreement.

If you have any questions after reading it, please consult your RU manager or feel free to contact myself or Mary Claire Buckley, as the Compliance team is here to serve as a resource for you regarding all things related to the DOJ Settlement Agreement. Thank you very much for your attention to this important matter.

Mike

Captain Michael Marshman Portland Police Bureau Strategic Services Division/ D.O.J. Compliance Coordinator