U.S. Attorney’s Office and Civil Rights Division Announce Three Community Interview Sessions Regarding Portland Police Bureau Investigation

PORTLAND, OR—The United States Department of Justice seeks community input for their investigation of the Portland Police Bureau. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, in conjunction with the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division, will conduct individual interviews with members of the public during the first week in August in three locations throughout Portland.

On June 8, 2011, the Justice Department opened a civil investigation to determine whether the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has engaged in a pattern or practice of use of force which amounts to a violation of civil rights.

Any individual that has specific and recent information they would like to share with the Department about their personal interaction with PPB officers may request an individual meeting at one of three locations in downtown, the outer east-side, or north Portland. To request an individual meeting, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s local Civil Rights Hotline at either 503- 471-5577 or by e-mail at usaor.civilrights@usdoj.gov. While space and time are limited for the interviews, the Justice Department welcomes information from any individual through the e-mail and toll free number listed below.

Throughout the course of the investigation, the Justice Department will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution or federal law by officers of the PPB. 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.

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. Individual meeting times are limited, but the department welcomes any information from the community. If you have any comments or concerns, but are unable to make an individual appointment, please feel free to contact us at community.portland@usdoj.gov or 1-877-218-5228.