PORTLAND, Ore., – The Justice Department announced today that it has opened a civil investigation into allegations of use of excessive force by members of the Portland, Ore., Police Bureau (PPB), in accordance with the pattern or practice provision of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.

The Justice Department will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution or federal law by officers of the PPB. During the course of the investigation, the Justice Department will consider all relevant information, particularly the efforts that Portland has undertaken to ensure compliance with federal law. The Justice Department has taken similar steps involving a variety of state and local law enforcement agencies, both large and small, in jurisdictions such as New York, Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Louisiana and California.

Today’s announcement is separate from any potential federal criminal investigation involving PPB.

The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Special Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon are jointly investigating this matter. The department welcomes any information from the community. If you have any comments or concerns, please feel free to contact us at community.portland@usdoj.gov or 1-877-218-5228.