A week after a federal judge approved the city’s negotiated settlement with federal justice officials on a package of Portland police reforms, Portland Police Association’s president Daryl Turner Friday afternoon released his first statement about it.
He said he hoped that U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon would use the annual hearings he has ordered to be held in his courtroom to update him on the status of the reforms “to turn the tide of public sentiment by using his status conferences to constructively highlight the good work our members do on a daily basis.”
Turner said he agrees with the city’s position, denying that there’s any evidence that Portland police officers have engaged in unconstitutional policing. He said the union worked with the city and police bureau to make sure the reforms to the bureau’s use of force and Taser policies were reasonable and workable, and that new performance evaluations aren’t used for discipline.
“Even with all these accomplishments, I can’t help but be disappointed in a recurring theme voiced by the media and the small, vocal segment of the community who seem to enjoy blasting police officers even when there is no evidence of wrongdoing,” Turner wrote. “The PPA stands behind our members because they are committed to serving and protecting this community. It is incumbent on the Mayor, City Council, the Chief of Police—and Judge Simon—to stop the negative, anti-police sentiment by highlighting the quality work done by every one of our members on a daily basis.”
Here’s Turner’s full statement:
Last week, Judge Simon approved the Settlement Agreement between the City of Portland and the DOJ. Throughout this process, the City of Portland has denied the DOJ’s allegations that Portland police officers have engaged in unconditional policing patterns or practices. I agree with the City that there is simply no evidence that the PPA’s members have engaged in unconstitutional policing.
The PPA moved to intervene in the DOJ’s lawsuit to protect our members’ collective bargaining rights. Now that Judge Simon has approved the Settlement Agreement, it’s important to pause and reflect on our accomplishments with respect to changes to force and Taser policies, performance evaluations, and the advisory discipline guide.
Although the force policy has been touted as a thoroughly reworked policy, what remains is the heart of the policy: the Graham standard. Words may have changed in the policy but the standard remains the same—what a reasonable police officer would have done at the same time, in the same circumstances, under the same conditions in that situation without the Monday morning quarterbacking and 20/20 hindsight of others. Our officers are highly trained and thoughtful in their use of force. The revised force policy preserves their ability to act reasonably in protecting themselves and the community.
Similarly, we worked hard with the Bureau to ensure that the Taser policy is realistic, workable on the street, and within the boundaries of federal Ninth Circuit case law. When the Bureau first introduced Tasers 15 years ago, they were proclaimed to be a revolution in policing, allowing officers to stay safe and not have to physically engage potentially dangerous subjects. Tasers create time and distance and allow officers to resolve confrontations safely and effectively without resorting to higher levels of force—exactly what the Bureau has called for in its revised policies.
With performance evaluations, we ensured that the Bureau would use the evaluations for a constructive purpose—to notify officers of their strengths and weaknesses so they may continue with their quality service to the community. These evaluations are not punitive measures meant to discipline officers or deny them pay. The evaluations are also an opportunity for bureau members to provide input and feedback on training, staffing issues, equipment, safety and policy issues.
Finally, with the Advisory Discipline Guide, we sought to ensure that discipline is fair and just, not excessive, and consistent for everyone, from the newest recruit to the Chief of Police. The Advisory Discipline Guide is just that—an “advisory guide.” It’s not a set-in-stone policy that all command staff must adhere to when considering or imposing discipline on subordinates. This Advisory Guide does not replace the Chief’s authority for imposing just discipline, nor does it change the disciplinary standard under our collective bargaining agreement.
Even with all these accomplishments, I can’t help but be disappointed in a recurring theme voiced by the media and the small, vocal segment of the community who seem to enjoy blasting police officers even when there is no evidence of wrongdoing. The PPA stands behind our members because they are committed to serving and protecting this community. It is incumbent on the Mayor, City Council, the Chief of Police—and Judge Simon—to stop the negative, anti-police sentiment by highlighting the quality work done by every one of our members on a daily basis.
Much attention has been paid to Judge Simon’s decision to hold annual status conferences. As Judge Simon explained some months ago in open court, he does not have the power to order the parties, including the PPA, to act in any particular way as the Settlement Agreement is implemented, nor does he have the power to order any changes to the Settlement Agreement. But he does have the power during his annual status conferences to highlight the good work of Portland’s finest. I sincerely hope that Judge Simon takes the opportunity to turn the tide of public sentiment by using his status conferences to constructively highlight the good work our members do on a daily basis.
Throughout this long, belabored, and tenuous journey, the PPA pushed for a fair, equitable, and reasonable agreement that protects the rights of our members, the Portland Police Bureau, and the communities we serve. I proudly believe that we’ve accomplished that goal. And I look forward to reminding the community and Judge Simon at least annually that our members will continue to serve and protect admirably.
-D. T.
Daryl Turner
President
Portland Police Association
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2014/09/portland_police_union_presiden_9.html