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Consultants Critical of Portland Police Shootings

June 5, 2012

Outside consultants brought in by the city have determined the Portland Police Department has many shortcomings when it applies to police shootings. Among other things, they determined police exhibit “excessive delays” in getting medical help to shooting victims. Their complete findings and recommendations are expected to be presented to the city council this week.

According to The Oregonian, many of the problems identified by the Office of Independent Review Group, a consulting firm out of California, are the same problems that have plagued the department for years.

Those identified problems include:

  • Delayed medical attention for shooting victims
  • Failure of AR-15 users to monitor police radio with an earpiece
  • Delays in interviewing shooting-involved officers
  • A “reluctance by the training division to second-guess officers’ actions”
  • Communication gaps at shooting scenes

Among other things, the group is calling on the department to end a rule that allows police officers to wait 48 hours before submitting to investigator questions after a shooting. Though the department says it’s willing to compromise, by having officers submit information like whether a suspect is still at large or where bullets may have hit, the consulting firm, obviously, says this isn’t enough.

“We believe that 48 hours is too long to wait for a statement from involved personnel and advocate for a restructuring of the labor agreements mandating the 48-hour delay,” says the report.

The Portland Police Bureau has had several problems over the years when it comes to officer-involved shootings. From a suspect who was shot by a sniper while still on the phone with negotiators to those that have died after being shot and not rendered medical assistance for more than 30 minutes, they simply aren’t doing everything possible to minimize the fall out of a shooting.

Police shootings usually happen when they encounter an armed suspect who is making threats or who refuses to back down. But sometimes mistakes happen.

This is part of the reason police officers are so skittish and suspicious of everyone—because  of fear. While the incidents of police-involved shootings are low, their possibility always remains in the back of an officer’s head.

Even if you are suspected of a nonviolent drug crime, you may find the police treating you as a violent criminal. It’s their fear of what could result of their interaction with you that drives this attitude on their part.

When you are charged with a crime, it can feel like everyone within the system is out to get you, that you couldn’t possibly be dealt a fair hand. This is one reason you need a personal advocate within the system—a local defense lawyer. If you are facing charges, no matter what they are, we may be able to help. Contact us today to discuss your case and how we might be able to help.

Filed Under: criminal justice Tagged With: police

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