Judge cancels review of Portland police reforms amid appeals

PORTLAND – A U.S. District Court judge has canceled a January hearing about Portland police oversight reforms as the city pursues appeals on the matter.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that Portland city attorneys had been set to report on Jan. 31 on how the city intends to comply with a federal settlement concerning community oversight of police reforms, but U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon has canceled the hearing.

The decision comes after the city requested to have the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determine whether Simon has the authority to set additional court hearings.

Simon says he will let the appellate court resolve the city’s petition for review before scheduling any future hearings.

The hearings stem from the city’s settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding mandated reforms to police training, policies and oversight.