Portland police reforms to go before City Council

PORTLAND – The city of Portland has reached a proposed settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice on police reforms in the wake of an investigation that found officers too frequently use excessive force against the mentally ill.

The deal announced Friday afternoon by Mayor Sam Adams, police Chief Mike Reese and U.S. Attorney Amanda Marshall includes more oversight of the police bureau as well as additional training and revisions to its policy on the use of stun guns.

The City Council will hear public comment on the settlement at its meeting Thursday.

Once the council approves it, the agreement must be signed by a federal judge and filed in U.S. District Court, the Oregonian newspaper reported.

The Justice Department opened its investigation last year to examine whether Portland police engaged in a “pattern or practice” of excessive force when dealing with the mentally ill.

Agency officials concluded in September that such a pattern exists and began negotiating with city leaders on reforms.